Joao Felix Nears Chelsea Move as Conor Gallagher's Transfer to Atletico Madrid Hangs in Balance

Chelsea is closing in on securing Joao Felix after the Portuguese forward agreed to personal terms with the club. The Blues and Atletico Madrid are reportedly nearing a final agreement, which could see Felix return to Stamford Bridge following his previous loan spell.

Conor Gallagher’s proposed move to Atletico Madrid has hit a snag due to complications in Chelsea’s transfer dealings. Initially, Gallagher was set to join the La Liga side, but the move was halted after Chelsea’s attempts to sign Samu Omorodion from Atletico fell through.

With the deal for Omorodion collapsing, Chelsea shifted their focus back to Joao Felix, who had impressed during his loan stint in West London in 2023. The situation has left Conor Gallagher in a state of uncertainty, as he returned to England from Spain to train with Chelsea’s Under-21s while his future remains unresolved.

Negotiations between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are ongoing, with more talks expected this weekend to find a resolution. The sticking point appears to be Atletico’s need to raise funds to finalize Gallagher’s transfer, with Felix’s exit being the key to unlocking the deal.

Although Chelsea has yet to agree on a final fee for Joao Felix, reports suggest that the transfer is edging closer. Contrary to earlier claims, the reported €60 million (£51 million) price tag for Felix is not accurate, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has remained tight-lipped about the ongoing transfer saga. At a recent press conference, Maresca declined to comment on the potential deals involving Joao Felix and Victor Osimhen, emphasizing that discussing players from other clubs would be inappropriate.

:Victor Osimhen, another target for Chelsea, is expected to leave Napoli before the transfer window closes, with Chelsea leading the race for his signature. However, Maresca chose to focus on the players currently in his squad, rather than speculate on potential signings.

 Conor Gallagher’s situation is becoming increasingly complicated as he is not being considered for selection in Chelsea’s opening Premier League match against Manchester City. Gallagher has been training separately from the first team, along with other players who are also likely to leave the club.

 Enzo Maresca has acknowledged the challenges of managing a squad during the transfer window, particularly when players are in limbo over their futures. He expressed hope that Gallagher’s situation will be resolved soon, allowing all parties to move forward amicably.

As Chelsea prepares for their season opener, the focus remains on the evolving transfer scenarios involving Joao Felix and Conor Gallagher. The outcome of these negotiations could have significant implications for Chelsea’s squad depth and strategy as they aim to strengthen their roster before the transfer window closes.