According to sources, Atletico Madrid has rejected Chelsea’s proposal of £42 million for Spanish striker Samu Omorodion.
Chelsea has identified Omorodion, 20, as a priority summer target after missing out on RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko.
Following Nicolas Jackson’s difficult first season at Stamford Bridge, new Blues manager Enzo Maresca wants to boost his offensive options during the summer transfer window.
Jackson scored 17 goals in all competitions but might have had many more, wasting several opportunities and receiving criticism for his wastefulness in the final third.
Atletico Madrid signed Omorodion from Granada last summer and sent the striker on loan to Alaves for the 2023-24 season.
He only netted eight goals in 34 La Liga games but impressed his parent club enough to ensure they considered recalling him midway through the season.
Atletico are under no pressure to sell Omorodion, who was La Liga’s Player of the Month in February, and have knocked back a bid from Chelsea worth £42, according to The Sun.
Chelsea will need to significantly strengthen their offer to get the Spain U21 star to Stamford Bridge and most likely match his release clause, which is little under £70 million.
Last October, Atletico manager Diego Simeone predicted Omorodion will become a ‘vital player’ for the La Liga giants.
‘You can see him improving in the games we’ve seen involving Alaves,’ the Atleti head coach stated.
‘He’s a young kid who is powerful, has a lot of speed in long areas, and plays extremely well in the box using 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.’
Omorodion looks set to feature for Spain at the Paris Olympics this summer before returning to Madrid and looking to break into Simeone’s first-team.
Chelsea have already made four summer signings ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Omari Kellyman, while they have sold Ian Maatsen, Lewis Hall and Omari Hutchinson.
The Blues enjoyed a late surge towards the end of last season to finish sixth in the Premier League and qualify for Europe, but still changed manager, hiring Maresca to replace Mauricio Pochettino.