Chelsea on the verge of €50m transfer as Maresca demands MORE signings

Tom Weber

• Updated: 16 Aug 2024 16:13 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Joao Felix, according to a report.

The Blues appear to be on the verge of reaching a breakthrough at last in their transfer saga with Atletico Madrid. According to Atleti insider Ruben Uria, Chelsea have tabled a fresh bid for Felix and are close to striking a deal.

He claims that the London giants' latest bid clocks in at €51 million, which is much more agreeable than the previous fees touted, with Chelsea having initially hoped that they could get a similar deal to the €40m they had offered for Samu Omorodion before his move collapsed.

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However, Atletico showed themselves reluctant to agree to such a price given that they had spent an eye-watering €127m on Felix in 2019. Chelsea's fresh offer of €46m upfront plus €5m in add-ons could be accepted, however.

Maresca wants more signings

An agreement between Chelsea and Atletico for Felix would, of course, also unlock the Conor Gallagher situation, with the England international currently forced to train with the rest of the Blues' outcasts away from the first team.

Gallagher's deal with Atletico is already agreed, his medical has already been done and the Spanish club even posted a picture of him on their social media channels prior to his enforced return to west London. The LaLiga side remain desperate to sign him.

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Speaking at his press conference before Chelsea's season opener against Man City, coach Enzo Maresca confirmed that Gallagher won't take part in the match. "He is training apart. He's doing some medical tests and some training, but he won't be involved. He is trying to find a solution with the club."

Maresca was coy when asked about the potential signings of Felix and Victor Osimhen, though he did admit that he would like to add to the 10 players that have already been signed this summer before the transfer period ends.

"It's not correct to talk about a Napoli or Atletico Madrid player. At this moment, the club knows exactly what I think and hopefully before the window shuts we can bring in some players."