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Tom OlverPublished Jul 11, 2024, 6:26pm|Updated Jul 11, 2024, 6:30pm
Chelsea have given up hope of signing Atletico Madrid starlet Samu Omorodion and will instead focus their attentions on alternative targets.
Omorodion had been identified as Chelsea’s primary attacking target for the summer transfer window, with the Stamford Bridge giants determined to strengthen up front to help kick-start the Enzo Maresca era.
Nicolas Jackson had a mixed debut season last term, scoring 17 goals in all competitions, and while Chelsea are prepared to be patient with the Senegalese’s development, club bosses are eager to bring in competition before the transfer deadline.
The Blues were credited with a strong interest in Benjamin Sesko but the west London outfit have been forced to explore other avenues after the Slovenia international put pen to paper on a new contract at RB Leipzig.
The likes of Jhon Duran, Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen have all been linked and reports last week suggested Chelsea had launched a £42million bid to prise Omorodion away from Atletico Madrid.
However, this offer was rejected out of hand by the La Liga club and Chelsea have ‘had enough of hitting a wall’, according to Marca, forcing them to drop their pursuit of the 21-year-old Spaniard.
It’s claimed Chelsea viewed Omorodion as a possible reference point for the attack for the future and were attracted by the striker’s physical strength which they felt stood him in good stead for Premier League football.
But the response has always been the same from Atleti – Omorodion is not for sale. The Spanish giants view the striker as an important asset going forward and believe he can establish himself as an integral figure under Diego Simeone.
Atleti would only be prepared to let the Spain Under-21 international leave if his eye-watering €80m (£67.5m) release clause is paid in full.
The report adds that Chelsea will therefore concentrate their efforts on signing on Lille’s Jonathan David and Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
Speaking last October, while Omorodion was on loan at Alavas, Simeone said he was confident Omorodion would develop into an ‘important player’ for Atletico Madrid.
‘You can see him evolving in the games we’ve followed involving Alaves,’ the Atleti manager told reporters.
‘He’s a young guy, strong, with a lot of speed in long spaces and very good play in the box with his body.
‘Let’s hope he does well at Alaves, because he has a future with Atletico. He spent only a few days with us but he looks humble and hardworking. He will be an important player.’
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