Chelsea have signed Portuguese striker Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid for around £45 million, while England midfielder Connor Gallagher has signed the other way around for around £33 million.
Felix, 24, has signed a seven-year contract to begin his second spell at Stamford Bridge.
“I’m really happy to be back at Chelsea, and I can’t wait to get started,” Felix said. “I get to see some familiar faces from the last time I was here, which is always nice.”
Gallagher, meanwhile, has signed a five-year deal with Spain’s top club.
Gallagher joined Chelsea at the age of six and made 90 appearances, scoring 10 goals.
He is entering the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge, so Chelsea will want to sell him now to avoid losing him on a free transfer next summer.
Gallagher wrote on Instagram, “Thank you to everyone at Chelsea for making my dream come true.” Changdu is my dream come true.
“I loved every moment. These memories will last forever. I appreciate all the love and support from the fans.”
The breakdown of Chelsea talks to sign Atletico striker Samou Omorodion has delayed Gallagher’s move to Spain, but Felix’s deal frees up Atletico with the funds needed to complete the move.
Gallagher spent five days in a Madrid hotel earlier this month in anticipation of a deal before flying back to London, but the move stalled.
Gallagher was loaned out to Charlton, Swansea, West Brom, and Crystal Palace before breaking into Chelsea’s first team at the start of the 2022–23 season.
He has made 18 appearances for England since making his debut in 2021 and is with the Three Lions at the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.
An analysis of the strange transfer saga’s happy ending
Connor Gallagher’s exit will leave a bitter taste in the mouth of some Chelsea fans who idolized him.
They raised banners during a game against Tottenham in May to protest against his expected departure.
That exit has already happened, but it is a relief that Chelsea have sold him outside the Premier League to Spain’s Atletico Madrid, avoiding the feeling that some fans still feel when watching Mason Mount play for Manchester United. kind of pain.
Chelsea have also dealt with his departure well, producing an emotional video package highlighting his connection with the club and wishing him all the best for the future across all their channels.
It reads and feels like a celebration of the career of this boyhood Chelsea fan, who has been with the club since the age of six, heading to the Wanda Metropolitan.
It was a positive end to a bizarre transfer saga, with Gallagher training alone at Chobham and the two clubs trying to agree on a bizarre swap deal.
Gallagher will be able to focus on his football again and could be a perfect fit for Diego Simeone’s tenacious, dynamic, and physical style of play.
