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Tom OlverPublished Jun 20, 2024, 8:04am|Updated Jun 20, 2024, 8:05am
Atletico Madrid have set their asking price for Samu Omorodion after Chelsea made the young striker their top attacking target for the summer transfer window.
Newly appointed Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is prepared to be patient with Nicolas Jackson after the forward – a £32million arrival from Villarreal – showed flashes of his undoubted potential under Mauricio Pochettino last term.
Jackson managed 17 goals in all competitions for Chelsea, while chipping in with five assists, and Stamford Bridge bosses are keen to ease the load on the Senegal international with another addition up front.
Benjamin Sesko had been identified as Chelsea’s primary target but the Blues have been forced to explore other avenues after the Slovenian decided to extend his stay with RB Leipzig.
Jhon Duran has emerged as a potential solution to Chelsea’s frontline, with the Aston Villa forward reportedly ‘excited’ by the prospect of a summer switch to west London.
However, Atletico Madrid attacker Omorodion, 20, has moved right to the top of the club’s transfer shortlist after scoring eight goals on loan at Alaves last season.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Chelsea lodged an ambitious initial offer in the region of €40m (£33.8m) for Omorodion which was swiftly turned down by Atleti.
The report indicates that the La Liga giants would only be prepared to let the youngster leave if his €80m (£67.5m) release clause is paid in full.
It’s claimed the player himself is ‘not sure’ about departing the Civitas Metropolitano for the Premier League.
The Spain Under-21 international is yet to feature for Atleti after joining them from Granada 12 months ago and still has four years remaining on his current contract in Madrid.
It’s understood Omorodion is also attracting strong interest from Roma and Napoli in Serie A.
Standing at 6 ft 4 in, Omorodion is an imposing centre-forward blessed with physicality, aerial prowess, speed and agility, a lethal combination which has seen him get the better of a host of top La Liga defenders at the start of his career.
The Spaniard is also renowned for his tenacious work ethic and has a reputation for tirelessly pressing his opponents, which could suit Maresca’s style of play should a move to Chelsea materialise.
Atletico Madrid explored the possibility of recalling Omorodion midway through his loan spell at Alaves last term and it’s clear Diego Simeone thinks highly of the striker.
‘You can see him evolving in the games we’ve followed involving Alaves,’ the Atleti manager told AS in October.
‘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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