CHELSEA’S move for Samu Omorodion collapsed after the club reportedly tried to insert a cheeky clause in his contract.
The Blues had agreed a £34.5million deal with Atletico Madrid to sign the striker.
Chelsea tried to insert a cheeky clause in Samu Omorodion’s contract[/caption]Conor Gallagher was set to move the other way but the midfielder is now in limbo with Chelsea in talks to sign Joao Felix from Atletico instead.
Omorodion was the club’s preferred option as he fit into their recruitment model of signing young players.
But the 20-year-old did not agree terms after Chelsea tried to insert a cheeky clause into his contract.
According to Spanish outlet El Chiringuito, Chelsea tried to buy 50 per cent of Omorodion’s image rights.
Omorodion reportedly felt “disrespected”, with reporter Marcos Benito claiming it will prevent the chance of a transfer in future.
That is a blow for Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who has prioritised signing a striker.
Wantaway Napoli star Victor Osimhen has been linked.
But the more pressing concern is finding a new makeweight from Atletico to allow Gallagher’s transfer to go through.
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Felix is the man Chelsea have in their sights, and is said to be keen on the move, but Atletico value him at £50m – over £15m more than Omorodion would have cost.
The Portuguese is a player valued by the club hierarchy however after he impressed on loan in 2023 with four goals in 16 Premier League games.
Chelsea have made 11 permanent signings this summer with Pedro Neto the latest to join from Wolves in a £54m switch.
They have spent more than £150m despite concerns around profit and sustainability.
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Chelsea are eyeing up a shock move for Joao Felix after Samu Omorodion’s move to Stamford Bridge collapsed.
In other news, Saudi Pro League clubs are interested in Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
Elsewhere, Martin Zubimendi is a target of Liverpool’s this summer, and the Reds could decide to trigger his £53million release clause soon, according to reports.
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