Porto striker Samu Omorodion has claimed his proposed transfer to Chelsea fell through this summer simply because God had other plans for his career.

20-year-old Samu, then of Atletico Madrid, was on Chelsea’s shortlist of summer targets and a deal is understood to have been reached as part of the deal that took Conor Gallagher to Spain, only for things to fall through at the final hurdle.

Chelsea reignited the deal by signing Joao Felix instead, while Samu sealed a move to Porto and has begun the season in excellent form. He has seven goals from as many games, including a double against Manchester United in the Europa League.

“I went through a very difficult period, because, after all, everyone knows that I was about to sign [for Chelsea], but it’s true that if didn’t happen, it was for a reason,” he told RTVE. “God didn’t want it.

“I’m also very grateful to Porto for giving me the opportunity when things looked at their worst, and I’m very happy with where I am now. I’ve left the past behind and now I’m focused on what’s coming to me.”

Chelsea remain on the hunt for a new striker. Samu was on a summer shortlist which also included Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran, but neither ended up making the move to Stamford Bridge. Duran has since signed a new contract.

Instead, Chelsea focused their efforts on signing Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, only to fail to reach an agreement before the transfer window closed.

Napoli director Mauro Meluso recently admitted the club remain keen to offload Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray on loan, when the January transfer window opens.

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