Chelsea have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix, with Conor Gallagher moving to Atletico Madrid as part of the deal.
The exact fee for the 24-year-old Portugal international has not been disclosed. Felix is set to return to Stamford Bridge on a six-year contract with an option for an additional year. His move is contingent upon passing a medical examination. Felix previously spent the 2023 season on loan at Chelsea, where he scored four goals in 20 appearances.
Conor Gallagher, an England midfielder, is expected to sign a five-year contract with Atletico Madrid. He had been training alone at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground after being left in limbo for a week. The delay in Gallagher’s £33 million transfer to Madrid was caused by the collapse of Chelsea’s negotiations to sign striker Samu Omorodion. Atletico Madrid needed to secure major first-team sales to raise funds for the Gallagher transfer.
Felix’s transfer to Chelsea will facilitate Gallagher’s move to Atletico Madrid. Gallagher was seen at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium nine days ago in anticipation of the transfer but had to return to London due to the delay.
As Chelsea approaches the transfer deadline on August 30, they will concentrate on player sales. They remain interested in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, while Napoli continues its efforts to sign Romelu Lukaku, who is still under contract with Chelsea but has no future with the club.
Napoli has made a second offer to sign Lukaku on loan with a £25.5 million obligation to buy, which is expected to be rejected as it falls short of Chelsea’s asking price of approximately £35 million.
