Chelsea and Atletico Madrid Finalize Exchange Deal Involving Joao Felix and Conor Gallagher

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid have reached a preliminary agreement for the transfer of Portuguese forward Joao Felix, with England midfielder Conor Gallagher moving in the opposite direction as part of the deal.

While the exact fee for the 24-year-old Felix remains undisclosed, the agreement will see him return to Stamford Bridge on a six-year contract, with an additional option for a seventh year. This transfer is pending a successful medical examination. Felix’s move marks a return to Chelsea after a previous loan spell in the 2023 season, where he made 20 appearances and scored four goals.

In the deal, Gallagher is set to join Atletico Madrid on a five-year contract. His transition to the Spanish club has been delayed due to complications surrounding Chelsea’s negotiations to sign striker Samu Omorodion. The delay in these talks meant Gallagher was left in limbo, training alone at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground for a week. The delay was further compounded by the need for Atletico to raise funds through a significant sale to facilitate Gallagher’s transfer.

The successful transfer of Felix to Chelsea clears the path for Gallagher to complete his move to Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. Gallagher was recently seen at the stadium, anticipating the move, but was forced to return to London due to the unexpected delay.

As the transfer deadline approaches on August 30, Chelsea is expected to concentrate on player sales. Despite this focus, the club remains interested in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. Napoli is actively pursuing a loan deal for Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku, who is currently not in Chelsea’s future plans. Napoli has reportedly submitted a second offer to Chelsea for Lukaku, which includes a £25.5 million loan deal.

This significant transfer activity highlights a busy period for both clubs, as they work to finalize their squad changes before the upcoming season.