Chelsea have accomplished the signing of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid in a deal value £46.3m, whereas Conor Gallagher has moved in the other way for £36m.
The Blues have paid a £42m fastened payment for Felix, plus £4.3m in add-ons, whereas the Portugal worldwide has signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
The 24-year-old returns to Chelsea on a everlasting deal having spent six months on mortgage in the course of the second half of the 2022/23 season, scoring 4 targets in 16 Premier League appearances.
Felix spent final season on mortgage at Barcelona the place he scored 10 targets in 44 appearances.
Felix mentioned: “I am actually blissful to be again at Chelsea and I am unable to wait to get began. I can see some acquainted faces from the final time I used to be right here, which is at all times good.
“I loved my time here before and I told my friends and family that I’d love to return to the Premier League one day. To do that with Chelsea is a great feeling and I’m excited to be back.”
The ex-Benfica participant turns into Chelsea’s tenth summer time signing following the arrivals of Tosin Adarabioyo, Omari Kellyman, Marc Guiu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor, Renato Veiga, Caleb Wiley, Aaron Anselmino, Filip Jorgensen and Pedro Neto.
Felix’s arrival additionally takes Chelsea’s spending to £202.6m making them the Premier League’s prime spenders this summer time.
The west London membership’s spending, nevertheless, will not be over but as it’s understood they are going to attempt to signal a brand new striker throughout this window following the completion of the Felix deal.
Napoli’s Victor Osimhen has been a goal all summer time, however in the intervening time Chelsea wouldn’t signal him on a everlasting deal.
Gallagher strikes in wrong way in £36m deal
Conor Gallagher has joined Atletico Madrid from Chelsea. Credit score: Atletico Madrid
The signing of Felix unlocked Gallagher’s switch to Atletico Madrid, which was confirmed on Wednesday morning.
Gallagher’s switch regarded to have fallen by means of following the collapse of Chelsea’s transfer for Atletico striker Samu Omorodion, however the deal was revived after the Blues agreed to signal Felix.
Atletico remained decided to signal Gallagher, having been impressed by him throughout his five-day keep in Madrid and the way he dealt with the state of affairs, which solely strengthened their need to have him of their squad.
The England worldwide handed a medical and agreed a five-year deal to affix Atletico whereas in Madrid, and had been pictured within the Wanda Metropolitano by the membership, earlier than having to return.
However the 24-year-old is now formally an Atletico participant after signing a deal on the membership till 2029.
In a video message on Instagram, Gallagher mentioned: “To everyone at Chelsea, thank you for making my dreams come true.
“It has been an absolute honour each time I placed on the shirt, and it was a dream come true to captain the staff on many events. I liked each second. These reminiscences will final eternally.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Watch Conor Gallagher’s finest moments for Chelsea final season within the Premier League
“I appreciate all the love and support from the fans. Hearing the chant of my name at the Bridge is a special feeling, and the banner you displayed meant the world to me. Thank you for everything.
“I want the membership all one of the best for the longer term, and I hope to see you all quickly at Stamford Bridge!”
Nev and Carra: Warning indicators, alarm bells and ‘heartbreak’ at Chelsea
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Gary Neville believes Chelsea might have a very good season however feels that their recruitment is ‘chaotic and weird’, and Jamie Carragher questions the place Joao Felix will play
After one other “chaotic” summer time at Stamford Bridge, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher laid out the “bizarre” issues Chelsea have introduced upon themselves.
Neville mentioned: “One thing we do know is they have recruited badly. There are players they bought two years ago who they are already trying to get rid of. It feels chaotic and bizarre some of the contract lengths being given.
“I ask the query fairly frequently; what’s it they know that the remainder of soccer does not know? Good golf equipment like Actual Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Arsenal, Man Metropolis – what do that group of homeowners know that the remainder of soccer does not?
Carragher mentioned: “Chelsea have simply obtained to cease shopping for gamers, and gamers have gotten to cease signing for Chelsea. If I used to be a participant, I would assume ‘why I might signal?’.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Sky Sports activities Information’ Kaveh Solhekol explains why Chelsea have determined handy out a mixed 191 years in contracts to their gamers
“The only reason you would sign is because your agent might say, ‘we’re getting a seven-year deal on big money, that’s guaranteed money for seven years.
“You realize what I might say? Again your self, signal a four-year deal at a correct membership. Whenever you’re due for renewal, your cash goes up anyway.
“It’s not a young and exciting team. They’ve bought Joao Felix, where’s he going to play? They signed Pedro Neto a week ago, where’s he going to play when you’ve got Cole Palmer already?
“You need to ask about the place Joao Felix goes to play, I’ve obtained one other query – the place’s he going to get modified on the coaching floor?
“How are all these players in one dressing room? How are you putting on a training session?”
