Chelsea continue striker pursuit but face €120m problem

Tom Weber

Updated: 26 Jul 2024 17:44 BST
4 min read

Chelsea have not given up on signing Samu Omorodion, but he could soon be fitted with a €120 million release clause, according to a report.

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The Blues remain in the market for a striker despite having already signed Marc Guiu and Omari Kellyman this summer. Earlier this year, Chelsea were viewed as almost a shoo-in to land the signature of Victor Osimhen, but things quickly changed.

The London outfit had concerns about the financial package required to sign Osimhen and thus ended their pursuit, though they remain attentive to the transfer saga surrounding him due to Napoli wanting to replace the Nigerian with Blues flop Romelu Lukaku.

After giving up on Osimhen, Chelsea targeted several younger and potentially cheaper options, chief among them Atletico Madrid starlet Samu Omorodion. Coach Enzo Maresca is said to be 'in love' with the 20-year-old, but Chelsea's attempts at signing him have so far been in vain.

The player has insisted that he is giving transfer speculation no thought, while Atletico Madrid have repeatedly rebuffed Chelsea's approaches, leading to suggestions that the latter have ended their pursuit.

Chelsea still keen

However, according to Ben Jacobs, that is very much not the case. He reports that Chelsea have not given up hope of signing the towering youngster, though he emphasised just how difficult it will be to break Atleti's resolve.

Chelsea's bids have thus far clocked in at a figure below €50 million, which is miles off the Spanish side's valuation. Previously, it had been claimed that it would take at least €80m to get them to entertain a sale, while Jacobs now speaks of €70m, so a fee in a similar ballpark.

However, Atleti continue to insist that they have absolutely no intention to sell. In fact, Jacobs reports that they are pushing for a new contract for the striker that would allow them to insert a hefty release clause.

The journalist reports that the Madrid giants want Omorodion to pen a fresh deal with €120m exit clause, which would end Chelsea's hopes of signing him once and for all.