Chelsea Transfer News Today: New Osimhen OPENING, Gallagher FORCED out, Lukaku AGREEMENT

Cameron Smith

2 Aug 2024 20:47 BST
6 min read

FootballTransfers runs through the latest Chelsea football transfer news updates, including the latest on Romelu Lukaku, Andrey Santos and Victor Osimhen.

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Victor Osimhen opening but deal is ‘complicated’

Chelsea remain interested in signing Napoli forward Victor Osimhen, although the Blues will reportedly find it difficult to sign the Nigeria international this summer.

That is according to Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth, who told GiveMeSport: “There is so much work to do on this deal.

“I've been told it is such a complicated deal to do, but the fact that the two clubs are still in negotiation over it would imply that there is a deal to be done.”

They have been given fresh hope in the chase for the Nigeria international striker, however, with the news that PSG are seeking to hijack a deal for Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez, who is also in talks with Atletico Madrid.

Osimhen has already agreed personal terms with Les Parisiens, but if they were to agree a deal with Osimhen, it would surely put them out of the running.

Current ETV

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Napoli

Victor Osimhen

F (C)

Napoli

ETV Range

€53.3M - €88.9M

Gallagher being force out as Atletico push for deal

Conor Gallagher is being forced out of Chelsea, according to Sky Sports.

"It's a really interesting scenario we've got on our hands with regard to Conor Gallagher," Dharmesh Sheth explained.

"It seems his Chelsea future is in serious doubt.

"Atletico Madrid have been interested throughout this transfer window but there's been a big gap between what Chelsea want and what they're prepared to pay.

"This week, the situation has come to a head. Chelsea made a third contract offer, for two years and the option for another year. That was turned down by Conor Gallagher.

"His contract is up next summer. That means it's danger time if you're a club that has a player in that position and he's not going to sign a new contract.

"This combination meant Chelsea now lowered their asking price and they found an agreement of around £34 million [€40m] for the sale of Conor Gallagher.

"From that moment on, the decision was up to him.

"But there's been another twist. Under Enzo Maresca's new style of play at Chelsea, Conor Gallagher is just expected to be a squad player.

"He needs regular first-team football to continue with England. If you look at it on face value, Chelsea are helping Conor Gallagher by lowering their value.

"Cynically, you could look at it another way. Chelsea are trying to force him out of the football club and they have effectively chosen his next club."

Current ETV

Conor Gallagher

M, DM (C)

Chelsea

Conor Gallagher

M, DM (C)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€37.7M - €62.8M

Romelu Lukaku to Aston Villa?

Chelsea have reached an agreement to sell Romelu Lukaku to Aston Villa this summer, according to Italian outlet Il Mattino.

The Belgium international has spent the past two seasons on loan in Italy and he is expected to finally leave Stamford Bridge on a permanent deal before the 2024-25 campaign kicks off.

Chelsea are now pushing the Belgian to join Unai Emery’s side, as per reports, but Lukaku isn’t interested in discussing personal terms with Villa.

His heart is instead set on a reunion with Antonio Conte at Napoli.

READ MORE: Chelsea Transfer News LIVE

Andrey Santos re-joins Strasbourg

Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos has officially returned to Strasbourg on a season-long loan deal.

The Brazil youth international, who joined Chelsea in 2023, spent the second half of last season on loan with Strasbourg and he impressed in Ligue 1.

Reports suggested that Santos could be set for a role in Chelsea’s first-team this year, but he has been loaned to their BlueCo sister club instead.

Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos has returned to Ligue 1 side Strasbourg on a season-long loan.

Go well, Andrey! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/7cyqwmLMAx
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 2, 2024

Gabriel Mec competition

Man Utd are reportedly keeping tabs on Gremio wonderkid Gabriel Mec, who has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea.

Mec, 16, is considered to be one of the brightest talents in Brazilian football and Chelsea are pushing to sign him as they continue to scout the best youngsters in the world.

Brazilian journalist Bruno Andrade has now reported that Chelsea are offering an initial fee of €7 million, plus an additional €7m in potential add-ons. However, Gremio are holding out for a fixed offer of at least €10m.

As a result, the move has not yet advanced, which could play into the hands of Man Utd and Borussia Dortmund.

According to Andrade, both clubs are keeping tabs on Mec as they eye a potential transfer hijack.

Federico Chiesa talks

Chelsea are in contact with Federico Chiesa's agent, Fali Ramadani, according to Italian outlet La Stampa (via Tutto Juve).

The Italy international, 26, has just one year left on his current contract at Juventus and he has been heavily linked with a summer transfer.

Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Arsenal are also reportedly in negotiations with Ramadani as they eye a possible move for the Juventus winger.

Chiesa reportedly wants to leave Juve after being sent a message on his wedding day by director Beppe Marotta.