Chelsea close to signing striker with Man City star to depart The Etihad

Chelsea will hope to improve their pre-season form when they face European champions Real Madrid on Wednesday.

The Blues have endured a tricky summer so far, losing two and drawing one of their four games so far – most recently when suffering a 4-2 defeat against Premier League champions Manchester City.

The two sides meet once again on the opening weekend of the Premier League season later this month, but in the meantime it appears that City and Chelsea could both be involved in transfer dealings with one of Spain’s biggest clubs.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, La Liga giants Atletico Madrid are closing in on a deal for City forward Julian Alvarez, while Chelsea are moving closer to the signing of Atletico’s Samu Omorodion.

Alvarez has been heavily linked with a move away from The Etihad in recent weeks, amid speculation that he wants to ensure more regular game time next term.

Atletico are said to be negotiating a fee of around £64 million for the Argentine, who represented his country at The Olympic Games in Paris this summer before their elimination at the hands of the hosts.

Omorodion (right) spent last season on loan at Deportivo Alaves

Chelsea, meanwhile, are on the hunt for a new striker and – having seemingly been priced out of a move for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen – the West London side have now turned their attention to 20-year-old Omorodion.

The Spaniard joined Atletico from Granada last summer and spent last season on loan at Alaves, scoring eight goals in 35 games.

Blues midfielder Conor Gallagher is expected to move in the opposite direction, having agreed a move to the Spanish capital after Chelsea and Atletico settled on a fee of around £33 million.

Romano claims that the England international is set to travel to Madrid on Tuesday to finalise the move, which could then pave the way for the deals involving Alvarez and Omorodion to take place.