Barcelona chief admits Spanish-Nigerian striker was a difficult player to sign after failed Chelsea move

Barcelona sporting director Deco has admitted that 2024 Olympics gold medalist of Nigerian descent Samuel Omorodion was a difficult player to sign in the summer transfer window after a failed move to Chelsea.

Less than a week before the close of the summer transfer window in the top five European leagues,  the Super Eagles-eligible attacker completed a permanent transfer to Porto from Atlético de Madrid, signing a five-year contract with the Portuguese giants.

Chelsea were on the verge of announcing the signing of Omorodion shortly after the Olympic Games, but the deal was unexpectedly called off over a  disagreement regarding the contract terms.

A three-way deal had been in the works, involving ex-Manchester City striker Julián Álvarez and Chelsea academy product Conor Gallagher moving to Atlético de Madrid, while Omorodion would have joined the Blues.

Álvarez and Gallagher's moves went ahead as planned, but Omorodion's transfer to Chelsea fell through despite him undergoing a medical, prompting the Blues to re-sign Joao Félix from Atlético de Madrid instead.

At the Thinking Football Summit, Deco discussed the arrival of Omorodion at Porto.

In quotes relayed by Portuguese sports daily A Bola, Deco said: "It's a good signing. I know him well from La Liga , he's a very powerful, very strong player.

"He could make a difference at FC Porto due to his physical ability. I think he was the most high-profile signing.

"He was a difficult player to bring in, as he belonged to Atlético Madrid and after a failed Chelsea deal "

Omorodion netted the fastest goal against Barcelona in a La Liga home match in the 21st century, giving Deportivo Alavés the lead in the 18th second of their 2-1 defeat to the Blaugrana on November 12, 2023.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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