Chelsea superstar will be allowed to leave if Joao Felix re-joins the club - Reports

Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling's exit this summer will be sanctioned if the Blues sign Joao Felix, according to reports. The west Londoners have been heavily linked with Felix after their deal for Atletico Madrid's Samu Omorodion fell through.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported last week that the Blues had agreed a £35 million deal with Atletico Madrid to sign Omorodion on a seven-year contract.

Despite interest from other clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea apparently secured his signature and he was set for his preliminary medical tests. However, the deal collapsed due to a dispute about the player's image rights, according to journalist Marcos Benito.

Atletico Madrid were also in talks with the Blues to buy Conor Gallagher and the transfer seemed finalized. However, Gallagher's move is now in doubt since Omorodion's deal never materialized.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the west Londoners are now discussing a potential move for Joao Felix to keep the Gallagher deal intact. Felix, who had a six-month loan spell at Stamford Bridge during the 2022-23 campaign, is keen on rejoining the club this summer.

While Chelsea continue to work on reinforcements for their squad, the club have also begun focussing on offloading players, per Romano. The journalist claims that Raheem Sterling will be allowed to depart Stamford Bridge if the Blues secure Felix's signature.

The Blues signed Sterling from Manchester City in the summer of 2022 for a reported £47.5 million fee. The England international has contributed 19 goals and 12 assists in 81 games for Chelsea.

"Is it an upgrade?" - Pundit criticizes Chelsea's summer transfer business

Former Premier League striker Darren Bent has criticized Chelsea's recruitment this summer. The Englishman pointed out the Blues' signing of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in particular.

The west Londoners have been quite busy in the transfer market this window and have signed a host of players, including Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Veiga, Marc Guiu, and most recently Pedro Neto.

Chelsea secured Dewsbury-Hall's services from Leicester City this summer for a reported £30 million fee as well. However, Bent has questioned the club's decision to sign the midfielder while offloading Conor Gallagher. He said (via The Chelsea Chronicle):

"The signings, I mean, I like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, but I mean to bring him in and sell Gallagher. Is it an upgrade? I am not quite sure it is.”

Enzo Maresca's side will face Manchester City in their opening game of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign on Sunday (August 18).