Chelsea Transfer News Roundup: Blues offer €65m for Portuguese ace, Ben Chilwell looking to leave, and more - August 14, 2024

Chelsea kick start their new season by welcoming champions Manchester City to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, August 18, in the Premier League. Enzo Maresca will be hoping to pick up all three points and get the better of his mentor, Pep Guardiola.

Meanwhile, the Blues are ready to take a Portuguese ace back to England. Elsewhere, Ben Chilwell is considering his options this summer.

On that note, let's look at the major Chelsea transfer stories from August 14, 2024.

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Chelsea offer €65m for Joao Felix

Joao Felix

Chelsea have submitted their opening offer for Joao Felix this summer, according to O Jogo. New manager Enzo Maresca is planning to upgrade his attack this year and was previously close to adding Samu Omorodion to his squad.

However, the move broke down at the eleventh hour, forcing the Italian tactician to turn to alternate targets. Felix has popped up on his radar. The Portuguese forward spent the second half of the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Stamford Bridge.

Felix is no longer part of Diego Simeone's plans at Atletico Madrid and will be allowed to leave this summer. The 24-year-old was sent out on loan to Barcelona last summer, and the Catalans are ready to have him back.

However, they do not have the finances to script a permanent deal and are likely to seek another temporary arrangement. Los Rojiblancos want a permanent transfer this summer to aid in further signings.

The Blues have now come forward with a €65m bid for the Portuguese, which includes €35m upfront and the rest to be paid later. Maresca is in dire need of a new attacker, with his current crop not generating much confidence. Felix could be open to a return to London to get his career back on track.

Ben Chilwell looking to leave

Ben Chilwell

Ben Chilwell is willing to end his time at Stamford Bridge this summer, according to talkSPORT. The English left-back's future has been subject to speculation since the arrival of Enzo Maresca this summer.

Chilwell has struggled with injuries in recent seasons and could be usurped by Marc Cucurella in the first team in the upcoming campaign. The Spaniard was outstanding for La Roja at Euro 2024, helping them secure the trophy.

Meanwhile, there are also concerns that Chilwell may not be a good fit in Maresca's tactics. The 27-year-old appeared just 21 times last season for Chelsea and his poor fitness record remains a concern. His suitors are likely to be wary as well, as the player has missed 100 games for club and country in the past three seasons.

Nevertheless, the Englishman is considering his options this summer and is apparently ready to leave to secure regular football. Chilwell is tied to the Blues until 2027.

Fabrizio Romano provides update on Blues' pursuit of Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen

Chelsea still have a chance to sign Victor Osimhen this summer, according to acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Nigerian striker has been identified as the ideal candidate for the No. 9 role at Stamford Bridge.

However, prising him away from Napoli is proving to be a challenge, given his reported €113m release clause. Recent reports have suggested that the Blues are also considering Romelu Lukaku as part of a deal for the 25-year-old.

Speaking on The Debrief podcast, Romano added that Osimhen's salary demands could also be a problem for the London giants.

“Osimhen is a possibility that Napoli presented to Chelsea after they already thought of Osimhen at the beginning of the window … they left the conversation because the package was too expensive,” said Romano.

He added:

"But then Napoli presented this opportunity again to Chelsea during talks for Romelu Lukaku. But as I always mentioned, from what I’m hearing, Osimhen doesn’t want to reduce his salary, €11million net per season, and Osimhen doesn’t want to go on loan. This is the idea of the player – only a permanent transfer or loan with obligation. So kind of permanent transfer."

Romano went on to add that the Osimhen saga could drag on until the final weeks of the summer.

“At the moment, Chelsea are not offering these conditions. So the only way to see Osimhen to Chelsea is to obviously sign the player on a permanent transfer or try to change his mind. So it’s on Chelsea. But at the moment, I can guarantee that nothing is changing on Osimhen’s story," said Romano.

He continued:

“I don’t think it’s going to change today, tomorrow. Now the full focus is on the Joao Felix/Gallagher saga, also with Osimhen to find a new solution. And then we will see what happens with Osimhen. But I always had a feeling that this is something for the final weeks or days of the window.”

Osimhen signed a new contract with the Serie A side last December, but is apparently ready to leave this year.