Samu Omorodion's move to Chelsea from Atletico Madrid fell through on Sunday, sources told ESPN, but the clubs are working on a deal to bring João Félix back to the Premier League so Conor Gallagher can join the LaLiga side.
Atletico are interested in seeing João Félix move to Stamford Bridge in place of Omorodion – the Portugal international spent six months on loan there in 2023 – and the striker's agent Jorge Mendes is now in talks with Chelsea.
Atletico's bid to sign Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez is not in jeopardy as a result of the change of plans, sources have said.
Sources gave ESPN conflicting reasons as to why Chelsea had changed their minds about signing 20-year-old Omorodion.
The forward was part of the Spain under-23 team that won gold at the Paris Olympics last week, scoring once in four appearances.
Atletico have been looking to implement an ambitious rebuild of their squad this summer. They have signed centre-back Robin Le Normand from Real Sociedad and forward Alexander Sørloth from Villarreal, and are looking to add Argentina star Alvarez and England international Gallagher.
However, Gallagher's move to Madrid – Atletico confirmed on Friday that the midfielder was in the Spanish capital as they worked to finalise a deal – was conditional on Omorodion going in the other direction. Chelsea will not press ahead with signing Omorodion and Atletico are working to ensure Gallagher's move does not fall through too. João Félix, who spent last season on loan at Barcelona, is seen as a possible alternative.
Chelsea announced the arrival of winger Pedro Neto from Wolves on Sunday, their latest signing in a busy summer.
Atletico signed Omorodion from Granada in August 2023 and immediately sent him on loan to Alavés for the 2023-24 season. The highly-rated Spanish youth international is yet to feature for Diego Simeone's side. The LaLiga season gets underway this coming weekend, with Atletico travelling to Villarreal on Monday 19 August.
