'Work being done' - Fabrizio Romano shares £34m Chelsea transfer hint ahead of Man City clash

It's all focus on the start of the Premier League campaign this afternoon for Chelsea as Enzo Maresca is gifted the tricky task of beginning his time as Blues boss against Manchester City.

The Champions visit Stamford Bridge for a 4:30 pm kick-off on Sunday with fans' attention turning to action on the pitch after weeks of headlines being made in the boardroom during a busy summer transfer window. However, as supporters make their way into West London, there is a fresh update on one transfer saga that has been hanging over the club.

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone alluded to the purchase of Conor Gallagher from Chelsea this summer ahead of his side's La Liga opener against Villarreal. The midfielder had appeared to be closing in on a £34 million move to the Spanish giants having undergone a medical but the transfer collapsed amid issues in Samu Omorodion coming in the opposite direction - the England international has since returned to London.

Gallagher has been training on his own since then, as confirmed by Maresca, and won't feature against Manchester City on Sunday. However, despite the player returning to England, Simeone hinted that there is still potential for the move to be completed.

In quotes relayed by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Simeone said: “The squad is not closed yet, we are still working on additions. We know what we’re looking for and what we want. Work is being done to finalise the squad.”

It is now believed that Chelsea are working with Atletico on a potential swap deal involving Joao Felix instead of Omorodion. Felix has a history with Chelsea, having spent the back end of the 2022/23 campaign with the club.

Gallagher had been offered a new contract by Chelsea but that had come with the condition that he would accept more of a squad role under Maresca. The player started all but one of the club's 38 Premier League matches last season under Mauricio Pochettino.