Chelsea plan double attacking sale if Joao Felix returns in major transfer twist

Feargal Brennan

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Chelsea plan double attacking sale if Joao Felix returns in major transfer twist image

Chelsea are preparing for major squad changes ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League season with Joao Felix potentially returning to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are working on multiple transfer deals to bolster Enzo Maresca's options and remove squad players from the wage bill.

In the latest update, a €40m ($44m) deal to sign Spanish U21 international Samu Omorodion from Atletico Madrid has fallen through amid rumours of a failed medical.

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That has forced a change in both Madrid and London, with Felix now back in play, as Atletico look to tweak the terms of their move for Blues midfielder Conor Gallagher.

With Omorodion now set to remain in Madrid, Atletico have put forward a player-swap deal to allow Gallagher to move to the Spanish capital, without a transfer fee.

That would allow Diego Simeone to secure a deal for the England international, and offload Felix, who has openly stated his desire to leave the Estadio Metropolitano.

Simeone needs to reduce his overall spend, with the Omorodion fee no longer available, on the back of €95 million ($103.7m) outlay to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.

Despite a mixed picture of his time under Simeone, Chelsea are positive they can revive the best version of Felix, who scored four EPL goals on loan at the Blues in the second half of the 2022/23 season.

A return for Felix will reportedly push Romelu Lukaku and Raheem Sterling towards the exit door as per the latest from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Lukaku netted 13 Serie A goals on loan at AS Roma last season, but Italian rivals Napoli are closing in on a swoop for the Belgian international, with Sterling attracting interest from Juventus.

Felix arriving as a straight swap for Gallagher would be a positive step for Chelsea's push to remain within the tightening EPL financial rules, and the removal of Lukaku and Sterling will only strengthen their ability to remain in strong fiscal position. 

Feargal Brennan

Feargal Brennan Photo

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.