Chelsea has confirmed the permanent transfer of midfielder Diego Moreira to RC Strasbourg, just over a year after he originally joined the club from Benfica.
The Portugal Under-21 international signed with Chelsea in July 2023 and made his first-team debut in the Carabao Cup match against AFC Wimbledon last season.
During his time with Chelsea, Moreira was sent on loan to Lyon on the final day of the transfer window, where he made nine appearances before returning to the club in January.
After coming back from Lyon, Moreira played a significant role in Chelsea’s Under-21 squad.
His standout moment came when he scored a hat-trick against Arsenal, which played a crucial part in securing a spot for the team in the Premier League 2 play-offs.
Now, Moreira has completed a move to RC Strasbourg, a club that shares ownership with Chelsea under the BlueCo group.
The deal reportedly includes a buy-back clause, ensuring that Chelsea retains the option to bring Moreira back in the future.
The young midfielder has committed to a five-year contract with the French side, showing his long-term dedication to his new team.
RC Strasbourg, managed by former Hull City boss Liam Rosenior, might feature Moreira in their upcoming match against Montpellier on Sunday.
At Strasbourg, Moreira will be reunited with former Chelsea teammates Andrey Santos and Caleb Wiley, who also joined the French club on loan earlier in the summer.
The club has been actively strengthening its squad, and Moreira’s addition is expected to bolster their midfield options.
In addition to the confirmed transfer, there are ongoing rumors surrounding other potential moves involving Chelsea players.
Djordje Petrovic is one name being linked with a move to Strasbourg as his future at Chelsea remains uncertain.
If he does make the move, he would join a growing contingent of former Chelsea players at the French club.
Meanwhile, Chelsea is still engaged in discussions with Atletico Madrid regarding a possible deal that could involve Conor Gallagher and Joao Felix.
Initially, the negotiations included a potential swap deal involving Samu Omorodion, but that part of the arrangement fell through, complicating Gallagher’s potential move to Atletico.
Despite this setback, talks are continuing, with Joao Felix now being considered as a possible alternative to Omorodion in the deal.
Felix, who has expressed interest in returning to Stamford Bridge, could still become part of the transfer, as both clubs explore ways to reach an agreement.
As the transfer window progresses, Chelsea is clearly active on multiple fronts, balancing incoming and outgoing transfers while planning for the future.
The inclusion of buy-back clauses in deals like Moreira’s shows Chelsea’s strategy of maintaining long-term options on their young talents, even as they seek regular playing time elsewhere.
The club’s continued negotiations with Atletico Madrid also indicate that they are exploring all avenues to strengthen their squad while managing the departure of players who may not be central to their immediate plans.