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Chelsea are working to get the better of Manchester City when the two teams face off at Stamford Bridge on Sunday (August 18) in their Premier League opener. Chelsea finished sixth in the league last season, a whopping 28 points behind champions City.
Meanwhile, the Blues are close to securing the services of Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix. Elsewhere, the London giants have set their sights on Manchester United attacker Jadon Sancho.
On that note, here's a look at the key Chelsea transfer stories as on August 16, 2024:
Chelsea close to Joao Felix deal
Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal with Atletico Madrid for Joao Felix, according to journalist Ruben Uria. The Blues recently entered talks with their La Liga counterparts for the Portuguese forward.
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New boss Enzo Maresca is keen to add more quality to his frontline and was a step away from securing the services of Samu Omorodion. However, the move broke down in the eleventh hour, forcing the manager to seek alternate options.
Felix spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan with the London giants, and Maresca is now looking to bring him back. Chelsea have apparently tabled an improved bid for the 24-year-old, offering €46 million up front with a further €5 million in add-ons.
Their proposal is close to Los Rojiblancos' valuation of the player, and the two clubs are apparently closing in on an agreement. Felix spent last season on loan at Barcelona, who are reportedly interested in another loan deal for the Portuguese.
However, Atletico prefer a permanent transfer, so the 24-year-old could be on his way to Stamford Bridge instead, this time on a permanent move.
Blues eyeing Jadon Sancho
Chelsea are considering a move for Jadon Sancho this summer, according to Fussball News. The English forward spent the second half of last campaign on loan with former club Borussia Dortmund following a public fallout with manager Erik ten Hag.
However, Manchester United reintegrated the 24-year-old into their first-team squad over the summer. Ten Hag has resolved his differences with Sancho, but the player remains linked with an exit from Old Trafford.
Paris Saint-Germain were in negotiations for the Englishman this summer, but talks have since broken down. The Blues have now entered the fray and are plotting to bring Sancho to Stamford Bridge.
The London giants have invested heavily in their squad this summer, continuing a recent trend in the transfer market. Chelsea are proposing a player-plus-cash deal, involving two academy players, for the Englishman.
Napoli in advanced talks for Romelu Lukaku, says Fabrizio Romano
Romelu Lukaku is closing in on a move to Napoli this summer, according to acclaimed transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. The Belgian forward is no longer part of plans at Stamford Bridge and could be allowed to leave this summer.
Lukaku spent last season on loan at AS Roma and is eyeing a permanent return to Italy. New Napoli manager Antonio Conte is apparently keen to be reunited with his former player this summer, having managed Lukaku previously at Inter Milan.
In his column for Caught Offside, Romano added that the Blues have discussed Victor Osimhen during talks for Lukaku.
“This week in London a director of Napoli has been working on the deal for Romelu Lukaku.
"We know that Lukaku has an agreement with Napoli for a three-year contract. The salary is okay, and the player is already talking with Antonio Conte. He wants to go to Napoli, but work is still ongoing," wrote Romano.
He continued:
“During these conversations I can tell you, once again, that Chelsea told Napoli clearly that they have Victor Osimhen on their list, and they want to make a move for him, but as of now, Chelsea have still not presented a contract proposal to the player.
"So, I would say we are still at the early stages of the Osimhen story, but at the advanced stages of the Lukaku story.”
Osimhen signed an extension with the Serie A side in December but is expected to be on the move this summer.
