In a trade that might see Blues midfielder Conor Gallagher join the Spanish team, Chelsea is expected to sign Atletico Madrid striker Joao Felix.
The 24-year-old’s return to Stamford Bridge is reportedly contingent upon Chelsea and Atletico agreeing to a cost of £40 million ($51 million).
Felix scored four goals in 20 appearances during his dismal six-month loan at Stamford Bridge in the second half of the 2022–2023 campaign.
The Portugal international, 24, is thought to have received a six-year contract offer from Chelsea. He spent the previous season on loan at Barcelona.
Gallagher’s transfer to Atletico may now be finalised thanks to Felix’s arrival. Last week, the England midfielder’s move to Chelsea fell through when the two sides couldn’t agree on a deal for Madrid striker Samu Omorodion.
In order to pay for Gallagher, who has been training alone since returning to Chelsea last week after being photographed in Spain in anticipation of his planned £33 million sale, Atletico have to sell Omorodion or another player.
Romelu Lukaku, a striker from Belgium, is reportedly the subject of an offer from Napoli for Chelsea, who fell to Manchester City 2-0 in their Premier League opener on Sunday.
Lukaku, 31, a former star of Manchester United and Everton, was on loan at Roma during the previous season.
Raheem Sterling’s future at Chelsea is currently in doubt as new manager Enzo Maresca stated he will resolve the former England winger’s predicament in the next few days.
Sterling’s representatives made a statement challenging the decision to leave him out of the Blues lineup for their match against City.