Chelsea, the solution (again) to Atlético Madrid's João Félix problem?

On Friday morning, Chelsea FC midfielder Conor Gallagher flew in to Madrid, toured the Cívitas Metropolitano, and reportedly even took part in his first training session ahead of his proposed €42 million transfer to Atlético Madrid. Mundo Deportivo claimed that Gallagher was training so hard that Atlético’s fitness coaches had to ask him to chill out.

On Sunday afternoon, João Félix scored Atlético’s opening goal against Juventus in Gothenburg, Sweden, helping the team to a 2-0 victory that closes out the preseason. João scored twice and provided one assist in three preseason appearances, sparking some speculation that he could — improbably — remain under Diego Simeone’s orders this coming season. Atleti’s first competitive fixture of 2024/25 takes place next Monday night at Villarreal.

Back in Madrid, Julián Álvarez flew in Sunday to an eager throng of Atlético supporters, wanting their first look at the Argentina international as he closes in on a reported move to the Spanish capital. Álvarez agreed personal terms last week after Atlético and Manchester City reached agreement on a transfer worth an initial €75 million, with up to €20 million in bonuses.

Meanwhile, in London, Samu Omorodion was all set for a medical at Chelsea after helping Spain’s under-23 side win gold at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris on Friday. Samu had reportedly agreed a seven-year contract (with an option for an eighth year) to join the Blues, and Atlético had agreed to send the player to Chelsea for €45 million in order to balance its books following the Álvarez and Gallagher deals.

However, Samu’s transfer to Chelsea collapsed Sunday night. Relevo reported that the 20-year-old failed his medical; El Chiringuito said last-minute contract changes doomed the deal. Whatever the case, Samu is coming back to an uncertain future, and Atlético need another makeweight to get Gallagher in.

But bah gawd! Hold everything! That sound you hear is João Félix’s music!

That’s right, Atlético and Chelsea are trying to resurrect this complicated transfer by simply swapping out Samu for João, who spent six months on loan at Stamford Bridge in 2023 and so thoroughly impressed that the Blues’ first order of business after hiring (former) manager Mauricio Pochettino was to inform Atlético that they would not purchase the Portuguese — who ended up on loan at LALIGA rivals FC Barcelona for the 2023/24 season instead.

We’re no strangers to complex if not ludicrous transfers around these parts, but this one might take the cake. Samu, a raw but undoubtedly talented young striker, has the look of a future star at his position. He is much more valuable in the short- and long-term than João — who, at 24, is largely a known quantity around Europe as a supremely-skilled but tactically-limited player.

The club has (somewhat reluctantly) been trying to cut ties with João and send him elsewhere on a permanent transfer for the past two summers, with Aston Villa and former club Benfica named as potential suitors. Now, rather than sending Samu to football’s version of developmental hell, João might get to go back there instead. Consider Gallagher would be on his way in exchange, and Atlético keep the better prospect (Samu) while acquiring the energetic, athletic profile its midfield needs.

Could João wreck these negotiations by saying he only wants to return to Barcelona? Sure, he could. But for what it’s worth, João claimed to have enjoyed his time in London and in the Premier League, and Chelsea can offer him continental football in the form of a Conference League qualifying playoff later this month.

Everyone knows João did not want to return to Atlético this summer, and the Atleti dressing room didn’t really want that to happen either. Both sides made the best of the situation and have enjoyed a temporary peace, but João’s future is not here. All sides have a vested interest in getting this done — Atleti in order to incorporate Gallagher, Chelsea to prevent the England international from leaving on a free transfer in 2025, and João to start anew after four-and-a-half rollercoaster seasons in Spain.

Yet, at this club, it’s truly anyone’s guess as to what happens next.