Nine goals last season – who is 20-year-old Chelsea transfer target Samu Omorodion?

​

Expert insight from Spain 

Chelsea have spent much of the early summer being linked with a move for Aston Villa striker Jhon Durán. It’s been no secret that new manager Enzo Marseca wants to start the season with another out-and-out striker in his ranks alongside Nicolas Jackson. That man could be Atlético Madrid’s 20-year-old forward Samu Omorodion. “He has often been compared to former Chelsea and Atlético striker Diego Costa, but his favourite player is teammate Antoine Griezmann.” Transfermarkt Area manager in Spain Iván Turmo explains.

S. Omorodion

Centre-Forward

Atlético Madrid

20 %

Chelsea

LaLiga

Premier League

According to The Athletic, the Blues reportedly had a bid of €32.5 million + add-ons rejected by the Spanish club yesterday, but remain interested in the Spain youth international. The striker spent last season on loan at Deportivo Alavés, where he scored nine goals in 35 appearances, and saw his market value rise all the way from €200k to €35m across the campaign. Only Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham scored more goals in the top five leagues than Omorodion from players aged 20 or under. It’s been a meteoric rise for the youngster, and he could have all the attributes to thrive in the Premier League in the future.

How good is Samu Omorodion?

Omorodion’s sensational 2023/24 season actually began in bizarre fashion. After spending his time playing with Granada B, he made his La Liga debut on the opening matchday against Atlético. Diego Simeone’s team came out 3-1 victors, but Omorodion scored and caused numerous problems for the Atlético defence. So much so that straight after that game Atlético Madrid splashed out €6m to bring him to the Wanda Metropolitano before sending the teenager (at the time) on loan to Alavés. “He played so well that the Colchonero team did not hesitate and signed him immediately. It was a career changing performance.” Transfermarkt’s Turmo explains.

Omorodion excelled at Alavés, becoming one of the team’s key players as they secured a tenth place finish. Turmo reveals what kind of player the striker is: “Despite his large stature, Omorodion is one of the fastest players in La Liga. He is great in the air and uses his big frame intelligently to win duels and hold it up to get his team up the pitch. He is always a danger to the opposition, and is a real threat on the counter-attack, exploiting space in behind.” Whilst Jackson himself held the ball up at times well for Chelsea last season, and looked a threat on the counter, he looked very raw and failed to capitalise on some of the good positions he got in.

With his current market value of €35m, he is the most valuable player at Atlético Madrid. A statistic that seems surprising, but speaks volumes about his talent. “He is undoubtedly one of the great jewels of Spanish football.” Turmo claims. “That is how Atletico understood it and paid the €6m release clause just after the first league game where Atlético played against Granada. During his loan at Alavés he has acquired his first experience among the elite, and from what we saw surely he could adapt very well to the Premier League.” Chelsea could be plucking a gem, but would be adding more depth to an already bloated squad, and would surely need some outgoings to finance the move when it comes to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability (PSR) rules.

Chelsea’s transfer strategy

It was revealed earlier this month, that Chelsea were one of six clubs who may need to sell players before June 30 to comply with the league’s PSR rules. While the likes of Conor Gallagher have been rumoured with departures, this hasn’t stopped the Blues being linked with a number of incomings this month too. Omorodion, Durán, Michael Olise have all been the subject of concrete interest from Chelsea, whilst the club is also closing in on the signing of Brazilian teenager Estêvão for a fee in the region of €32m.

Estêvão

Right Winger

Palmeiras

45 %

Chelsea

Campeonato Brasileiro Série A

Premier League

It seems that signing a striker (preferably with Premier League experience) is among their primary targets, but it’s thought Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke is out of their price range, whilst top target Benjamin Sesko has committed his future to RB Leipzig. It is understood new boss Marsesca see’s another striker to support Jackson as a priority, and Omorodion could just be that man. Whether Chelsea can afford the fee that Atlético may demand is a separate matter.