Todd Boehly makes shock Chelsea transfer U-turn as Enzo Maresca handed £101m problem

Todd Boehly has made a surprise decision that is a Chelsea transfer first just a few weeks after the appointment of Enzo Maresca. The Blues have already been busy in the summer trading period with the arrival of Tosin Adarabioyo confirmed earlier this month and a deal for Estevao Willian reaching the final stages.

Numerous senior exits are also expected to occur with Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah and Ian Maatsen among those that could depart. Having already welcomed a defender, Chelsea are keen to add another striker to their ranks with Jhon Duran initially looking likely to fill that role, however the Blues have cooled their interest in the Aston Villa star, football.london understands.

With that in mind, Chelsea are now in talks with Atletico Madrid over a possible move for Samu Omorodion. The 20- year-old spent last season on loan at Deportivo Alaves with Chelsea putting forward a £34million bid – including add-ons – though the Spanish giants advised them to not make the offer formal.

Agreeing a deal to sign Omorodion looks set to be a significant challenge with Atletico keen to agree a new contract and include a triple-figure release clause worth around €120million (£101m), as per journalist Ben Jacobs . Following Chelsea’s decision to take a step back in their pursuit of Duran, it looks as though it may have come from Maresca himself.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano offered some new updates on Chelsea’s striker targets with the new head coach given a very surprising opportunity. “The Chelsea owners and sporting directors asked Enzo Maresca what he wanted to do with the Jhon Durán deal,” he said on his YouTube channel.

“He will have an important say on the striker, and he will make a decision on the situation of Samu Omorodion.” One of the main reasons Mauricio Pochettino chose to depart was because of the lack of control he had in transfers but it now looks as though that won’t be repeated under Maresca.

However, there is a problem in front of the former Leicester City boss with Atletico’s stance on Omorodion very clear. Benjamin Sesko was one option for Chelsea before he signed a new contract at RB Leizpig while Joshua Zirkzee and Serhou Guirassy, both with set release clauses, have also been linked.

Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund are pushing for those forwards though which means Chelsea will have to work quickly if they firm up interest in either.