Chelsea agree transfer fee for Joao Felix to bring Gallagher to Atleti

Chelsea have agreed a transfer fee in principle for Atletico Madrid striker Joao Felix, with Conor Gallagher heading the other way as part of the deal.

The transfer fee for the 24-year-old Portugal international has not been disclosed, but it could see him return to Stamford Bridge on a six-year deal with an option for a further season.

The transfer of Felix, who must undergo a medical, will see him return from a loan spell at Chelsea in 2023.

In his previous spell in West London he scored four goals in 20 games.

English midfielder Gallagher is set to sign a five-year contract with Atletico.

He trained alone at the club’s training ground in Cobham after being left in limbo for a week.

Chelsea’s failed negotiations to sign striker Samu Omorodion saw Gallagher’s £33million move to Madrid delayed, with Atlético forced to raise funds to complete the transfer through a major sale of their first-team squad.

Felix’s move to Chelsea clears the way for Gallagher to sign at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, where he was pictured nine days ago preparing for his transfer but was forced to fly back to London last Tuesday due to delays.

Chelsea will focus on selling players in the run-up to the August 30 deadline but remain interested in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as the Italian club continue their attempts to sign Romelu Lukaku. Chelsea are still at Chelsea but have no future in west London.

Napoli say they have made a second offer to sign Lukaku on loan with a £25.5m purchase obligation.

The bid is expected to be rejected as it falls short of Chelsea’s asking price of around £35m.