Chelsea Transfer News Today: Osimhen TRUTH, Gallagher DOUBTS, Jorgensen SIGNS, Williams DECIDES

Updated: 31 Jul 2024 18:50 BST
6 min read

Victor Osimhen, Chelsea, Napoli, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Chelsea's busy summer continues, with Filip Jorgensen arriving at the club on Tuesday and more deals being worked on on Wednesday.

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The Blues signed the Dane from Villarreal for €24.5 million and he has penned a deal until 2030 with the option for a further season. Jorgensen is set to challenge for the No.1 spot at Stamford Bridge and he may have inadvertently revealed that Djordje Petrovic will be sold after his arrival.

However, Jorgensen is not the only goalkeeper Chelsea have been eyeing. According to reports in Belgium, the Blues have also agreed a record-breaking deal to sign Genk youngster Mike Penders.

The 18-year-old is expected to become the joint-most-expensive goalkeeper to leave the Jupiler Pro League, with Chelsea paying €20m for a player with 90 minutes of senior football under his belt. Penders is expected to stay at Genk on loan for the season.

READ MORE: Latest Chelsea transfer news

Victor Osimhen truth

The transfer saga surrounding Victor Osimhen has been turned upside down in recent days, with PSG pulling out of talks with Napoli before Chelsea re-entered them.

David Ornstein caused a stir by suggesting that talks over a potential swap deal were taking place, with Osimhen initially joining Chelsea on loan while Romelu Lukaku was to go the other way permanently. This caused an outraged reaction from the Nigerian's agent.

Now, Fabrizio Romano has sought to shed light on the situation, confirming that talks over a swap have taken place but insisting that a loan was out of the question.

Italian media, meanwhile, is reporting that Osimhen is hoping for PSG to pick up talks again, as they are the only European club willing and able to pay his full wages, while offering Champions League football and chances of guaranteed domestic success.

Conor Gallagher confusion

Romano has also revealed that Chelsea are close to striking an agreement with Atletico Madrid for a €40m transfer of fan favourite Conor Gallagher. FootballTransfers can confirm that talks are indeed nearing a satisfactory conclusion.

However, what we can add is that sources with knowledge of the situation feel that a club-to-club agreement does not mean a transfer will happen. In fact, there are major doubts over Gallagher's willingness to join Atletico.

While it is not out of the question that he will make the move to Spain, Gallagher fancies his chances of still getting regular minutes for Chelsea even if he were to stay and try to see out his expiring contract.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are thought to be preparing a bid, while it can't be ruled out that Chelsea will offer an extension should Gallagher decide to stay.

Enzo Fernandez survives racism storm

Reports are suggesting that Enzo Fernandez will not face any punishment for his involvement in the scandal that caused teammate Wesley Fofana to slam him for 'uninhibited racism.'

Fernandez filmed himself and his Argentina teammates singing a racist and transphobic song aimed at French players of African descent while away on Copa America duties.

Chelsea opened an internal investigation, but it is being claimed that the Argentine will not be punished after proactively offering to donate to anti-discrimination causes.

Julian Alvarez available for a cut price?

Fernandez's international teammate Julian Alvarez is also in the news a lot due to reportedly agitating for a transfer away from Man City. He recently hinted that he wasn't entirely happy with his game time, though he insisted that he is happy at the Etihad.

Nevertheless, links to other clubs have proliferated in recent weeks and Chelsea are said to be at the front of the queue along with PSG. Now, it is being claimed that Alvarez could be available for a cut price.

A report is suggesting that the striker can be signed for just €47m this summer, while previous reports had claimed that it would require a figure of at least double that to prise him away.

Winger targets make decisions

Already rumoured last week and now also confirmed by The Athletic, Nico Williams has decided to remain at Athletic Club. The chances of the 22-year-old joining Barcelona are 'practically zero,' it is being claimed.

Chelsea had refrained from entering the race to sign him due to concerns over his cost, but it understood that the Blues greatly admire Williams. His staying could perhaps enable the Blues to try for him in future windows when the market is more favourable.

In other news regarding winger targets, Chelsea are also set to miss out on Crysencio Summerville. West Ham launched an opening bid for the Leeds star last week and Romano is now reporting that the Dutchman has agreed personal terms with the Hammers while negotiations continue.