Chelsea Transfer News Today: Romano on Osimhen, Omorodion HIJACK, Williams DECISION, trio AXED

Updated: 7 Aug 2024 19:26 BST
5 min read

Victor Osimhen, Fabrizio Romano — © IMAGO

All the latest Chelsea news on August 7, including updates on Victor Osimhen, Samu Omorodion, Nico Williams and Conor Gallagher.

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Chelsea are still involved in the triple-deal domino of Omorodion, Gallagher and Man City wantaway Julian Alvarez. According to Fabrizio Romano, the wait for the first domino to fall could go on.

There is no guarantee that Alvarez will be confirmed as an Atletico Madrid player today, which means that Gallagher to Atleti and Omorodion to Chelsea also won't be announced as things stand.

READ MORE: Latest Chelsea transfer news

Osimhen confusion: Is the Omorodion deal a mistake?

Reports have suggested that Chelsea will continue to negotiate with Napoli for Osimhen even if they manage to secure the signing of Omorodion. Fabrizio Romano has reiterated that the situation with Osimhen remains 'open.'

“With Chelsea, I expect nothing will change tomorrow or the next day either, because the situation is still very clear - Chelsea’s interest remains, they are having conversations with Napoli, but the only option for them to continue is with a loan or another kind of creative formula.”

However, Di Marzio has now cast doubt on Chelsea pulling off a double deal for Osimhen and Omorodion, insisting that it will be a case of either or.

This, then, begs the question if Chelsea are making a mistake by going for the inexperienced Omorodion over Osimhen, who guarantees goals even if he is more expensive.

Omorodion only has one season of senior football under his belt and the fact that Chelsea are going for the Spaniard rather than the Nigerian suggests that they have not learned from their previous mistakes.

Either way, the deal to sign the Spain international is 'here we go' done, according to Romano. Intriguingly, the transfer expert has revealed that Bayer Leverkusen and other clubs tried to hijack the move, but Chelsea ultimately prevailed.

Williams decision

Nico Williams has decided to remain at Athletic Club. He returned to training on Tuesday, six days ahead of schedule, and appeared to confirm his decision in a low-key social media video on the club's accounts.

Marca states that he has taken this course because he believes it is the right decision for his progression as a player, the sense of belonging that he has at Athletic Club and also because of agent Felix Tainta, who is renowned for looking after the interests of his players.

In addition to all this, the source indicates that Nico is also paid handsomely in Bilbao, where he receives a wage far higher than he would expect at any other LaLiga club with the exception of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Exits in the works

Strikers David Datro Fofana and Armando Broja have been told that they can leave Chelsea this summer, with the latter absent from the Blues' friendly against Real Madrid despite being fully fit.

According to Ben Jacobs, Chelsea are aiming to have finalised the Albanian's departure by next week, while a timeline regarding Fofana remains as yet unknown.

Homegrown defender Alfie Gilchrist, meanwhile, has already left, joining relegated Sheffield United on a season-long loan.

Kepa to Napoli?

According to Football.London, Napoli are interested in Chelsea outcast Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Blues are looking to offload the world's most expensive goalkeeper are reportedly willing to do business for around €20m.

Kepa has Saudi suitors but would prefer to remain in Europe and, particularly, in his native Spain after spending the bygone season on loan at Real Madrid. Los Blancos have yet to decide whether to try and re-sign him, with the final decision ultimately hinging on Andriy Lunin's future.

The Napoli future of goalkeeper Alex Meret is said to be uncertain, so the Italian giants are supposedly considering making a move for the Chelsea man.