Former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/atletico-madrid-tv-schedule/">Atletico Madrid</a> striker Samu Omorodion has claimed that his summer transfer was controlled by a higher power. The highly rated budding star was seemingly set to join <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a> for $44 million in August. The move would have followed two major deals between the two clubs.



Portuguese star Joao Felix signed with Chelsea from Atleti for around $57 million on August 21st. The playmaker previously played for the Blues on loan for the second half of the 2022/23 campaign. In a separate but corresponding move, Chelsea sent English midfielder Conor Gallagher to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/la-liga-tv-schedule/">LaLiga</a> club in a $45 million agreement.



Following these moves, Omorodion looked likely to join Chelsea. The Blues, however, apparently had worries over the forward’s ankle injury. Because of the hesitations, the striker eventually joined <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/fc-porto-tv-schedule-for-viewers-in-united-states/">Porto</a> in a unique deal. 



The Portuguese side paid Atleti $16 million for 50% of his sporting rights. Porto also has the option to buy an additional 30% of his rights in the future for just $5.5 million each year.



<h2>Spanish striker: ‘God didn’t want’ move to West London</h2>



Omorodion has now opened up about his hectic preseason during an interview with Spanish television network <a href="https://www.rtve.es/deportes/20241010/samu-omorodion-demostrar-kazajistan-9-espanol-mas-forma/16279514.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RTVE</a>. The striker told the media company that the failed Chelsea move was because God did not want him to join the team.



“I had a very difficult summer,” stated Omorodion. “We had a really bad time because, in the end, everyone knows that I was close to signing [with Chelsea], but it’s true that if it didn’t happen, it was for a reason because God didn’t want it.”



“I’m also very grateful to Porto for giving me the opportunity when things looked at their worst, and I’m very happy with where I am now. I’ve left the past behind and now I’m focused on what’s coming to me.”



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Porto, particularly because of the aforementioned terms of the transfer, appears to have struck gold in the signing. Omorodion has already racked up seven goals in as many matches so far with the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/primeira-liga-tv-schedule/">Primeira Liga</a> team.



Two of these scores came during a recent <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a> matchup against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a>. The 20-year-old striker was arguably the best player on the pitch throughout the game as he tormented Chelsea’s rivals.



<h2>The youngster could be set for role with Spain in the near future</h2>



Omorodion made the claims regarding the unsuccessful Chelsea transfer while on international duty with Spain’s U21s. The center-forward also recently helped Spain win the 2024 Olympic Games in France earlier this summer. Although he only started one game at the tournament, Omorodion scored in the match against Egypt.



The striker’s display for Porto and his youth national teams will undoubtedly catch the attention of Spanish national team manager Luis De la Fuente. La Roja currently ranks third in the world by FIFA after collecting the Euro 2024 title. While <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/spain-national-team-tv-schedule/">Spain</a> remains one of the top teams in the world, they are not rife with talent at the center-forward position.



Captain Alvaro Morata is typically the team’s typical starter in the position. Omorodion, however, could soon become a key player for Spain. De La Fuente is also not afraid to give youngsters prominent roles in the team as well. Gavi, Pedri, and Lamine Yamal have all recently become mainstays under the manager, despite their ages.



PHOTOS: IMAGO

Omorodion claims God did not want him to join Chelsea

Former Atletico Madrid striker Samu Omorodion has claimed his failed transfer to Chelsea in the summer was controlled by a higher power.

<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea’s</a> pursuit of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/atletico-madrid-tv-schedule/">Atletico Madrid</a> forward Samu Omorodion has collapsed at the final stages after a failure to agree on major details of the proposed contract. 



The 20-year-old forward was expected to sign a seven-year deal as a fee in the region of $44 million was agreed between the two clubs.



But the West London club will not be welcoming the Spanish international after contract negotiations reached a deadlock.



<a href="https://x.com/elchiringuitotv/status/1822917206742552953" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reports from Spain</a> suggest the disagreement related to ownership of the player’s image rights. Whatever its nature, it has jettisoned the deal.



Chelsea is now reportedly shifting their interest toward Omorodion’s teammate <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/joao-felix/">Joao Felix</a>, who spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan at Stamford Bridge.



With Omorodion staying in Madrid, the seemingly imminent transfer of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/conor-gallagher-makes-decision-on-his-chelsea-future/">Conor Gallagher</a> from Chelsea to Atletico is now in jeopardy. 



The midfielder had flown to Madrid to complete his transfer but is now expected to return to London as the sides scramble to save the deal. 



<h2>Why Chelsea wanted Omorodion</h2>



Chelsea’s pursuit of Omorodion was in line with their overarching transfer strategy, which focuses on attracting highly rated young talents to the club. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/watch-premier-league-on-us-tv-internet/">Premier League</a> club has already snatched a promising attacking talent from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-la-liga-on-us-tv-and-internet/">LaLiga</a> this summer, signing Barcelona teenager Marc Guiu in a $6.4 million deal.



Omorodion fits that mold. The 20-year-old scored nine La Liga goals while on loan at Alaves last season and was part of Spain’s gold medal-winning side at the Paris Olympics. Standing at 6’4, the Melilla-born striker has the makings of a domineering center-forward, which is a position that Enzo Maresca’s side may want to reinforce.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240812_WST_522156_Samu-Omorodion-Chelsea-1200x675_69257ed6.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-522183" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Samu-Omorodion-Chelsea-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Samu-Omorodion-Chelsea-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Samu-Omorodion-Chelsea-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Samu-Omorodion-Chelsea-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/08/Samu-Omorodion-Chelsea.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Nicolas Jackson netted 14 Premier League goals in his debut campaign with the Blues. Christopher Nkunku has been lighting up pre-season after an injury-plagued start to life in West London.



However, there are lingering concerns about Jackson’s consistency. Maresca can deploy Nkunku as a winger, attacking midfielder or striker, stating that the French international ‘can play everywhere.’



Omorodion, then, would have added depth to a relatively thin department of Chelsea’s squad. Meanwhile, he boasts the star potential that has consistently enticed the Todd Boehly-led consortium since they took charge in 2022.



<h2>Chelsea eyeing Joao Felix return in lieu of Omorodion</h2>



Chelsea is eyeing Joao Felix as a new candidate to refresh their attacking options after failing to land Omorodion.



The 24-year-old, also of Atletico Madrid, has spent the last season-and-a-half out on loan. At first, that was with Chelsea. Then, he spent time at Barcelona. Each move is a reflection of his failure to establish himself at Atletico Madrid following his $144 million move. That 2019 move remains Atletico Madrid’s most expensive transfer of all time.



There is no doubting the Portuguese international’s talent. He brings an entirely different profile compared to Omorodion, raising questions about his potential fit at Stamford Bridge. Felix operates best as an attacking midfielder or second striker, which is hardly a position of need for The Blues.



He impressed in that role during his short stint at Chelsea. Yet, that was before Cole Palmer arrived from Manchester City and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/cole-palmer-has-been-a-point-of-pride-for-chelsea-and-boehly/">stamped his identity</a> on this struggling side.



Palmer, whether starting in the No. 10 or from that right wing, plays in the same pockets of space as Felix. He is hardly going to be displaced after a stellar debut campaign with the club. Nkunku, another of Chelsea’s most highly regarded attackers, can also play in the position.



PHOTOS: IMAGO

Chelsea eye Felix as Omorodion move collapses

Chelsea are targeting Joao Felix after their move for Atletico Madrid forward Samu Omorodion collapsed at the final stages.

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Omorodion claims God did not want him to join Chelsea

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