Chelsea 'close' to agreeing deal for their strangest ever signing

14 Aug 2026 12:03 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

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Chelsea are reportedly close to agreeing a deal to sell Omari Kellyman on a permanent deal to sister club Strasbourg.

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The 20-year-old joined Chelsea from Aston Villa in a bizarre swap deal with Ian Maatsen in 2024, designed to help both clubs from a financial standpoint, and he is still yet to make his first-team debut for the Blues.

Current ETV

Omari Kellyman

F, M (C)

Chelsea

Omari Kellyman

F, M (C)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€1.9M - €2.9M

Kellyman’s opening season at Chelsea was disrupted by a lengthy hamstring injury lay-off and he was sent on loan to League One side Cardiff City last summer in order to regain his form and fitness.

The attacking midfielder scored 11 goals and provided two assists in 36 league games for Brian Barry-Murphy’s side across the 2025-26 season, playing a pivotal role as they secured an immediate promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking.

Cardiff had hoped to bring Kellyman back to the club for the upcoming campaign and there was confidence that a deal would be struck with Chelsea, with the player himself keen to return to the Welsh capital.

However, the Premier League giants are now close to agreeing a “significant permanent deal” with sister club Strasbourg, as per a report from Wales Online.

Football.London have confirmed that negotiations over a transfer are ongoing, with a possible move to Strasbourg regarded as a concrete option for the 20-year-old midfielder.

© IMAGO - Omari Kellyman is yet to make his competitive first-team debut for Chelsea

Another Chelsea to Strasbourg move?

If Kellyman joins Strasbourg this summer, he will become the third Chelsea player to complete a move to the French club ahead of the 2026-27 season, after Filip Jorgensen and Genesis Antwi, who have both joined Hugo Oliveira’s side on loan.

Chelsea have sent a total of 10 players on loan to Strasbourg since BlueCo purchased the club in 2024, and Kellyman would become the third permanent sale to the Ligue 1 outfit, following Diego Moreira and Mathis Amouogu.

Chelsea have already sold Andrey Santos, Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Tyrique George and Jimmy Jay Morgan so far this summer, while they have finalised 10 loan deals, including Alejandro Garnacho’s temporary move to Aston Villa.

In regards to incomings, the Blues hierarchy have backed Xabi Alonso with 12 new signings for a combined €408 million as they look to secure their place back in the Champions League. Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix are among their new arrivals.