Chelsea has accepted a bid of around £34 million from Atletico Madrid for midfielder Conor Gallagher. The 24-year-old, who failed to agree on a new contract with Chelsea, has decided to fly to Spain in the early hours of Monday morning, just before the deadline passed.
Key Moments:
- Chelsea agreed to a £34m deal with Atletico for Gallagher.
- Gallagher is set to travel to Madrid as negotiations continue over striker Samu Omorodion.
- The deal for Omorodion, a key target for Chelsea, is around £35m.
Negotiations between Atletico and Manchester City for Julian Álvarez, a potential replacement for Omorodion, are progressing well. Sources indicate that an agreement is nearing completion. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s deal with Atletico could not be finalized before the deadline. As a result, Gallagher decided to move to Spain at the last moment.
Two other top-six Premier League clubs recently inquired about Gallagher, but he has chosen to join Atletico Madrid. He made his final decision just one minute before the deadline.
Additional Information:
- Gallagher turned down a larger offer from Aston Villa to remain at Stamford Bridge.
- Tottenham remains interested in the midfielder.
- Chelsea prefers to sell Gallagher to a club abroad rather than a Premier League rival.
Chelsea is exploring potential replacements, with Matt O’Riley from Celtic being a notable option. O’Riley has attracted interest from Atalanta and other Premier League clubs. Atletico Madrid previously bid for him in January.
Background
Conor Gallagher faced an uncertain future at Chelsea after the club informed him he would only be a squad player under the new system. In contrast, Atletico Madrid offered him a long-term contract and Champions League football, which greatly appealed to Gallagher.
Chelsea wanted to avoid repeating past situations where players left on free transfers. They aimed to prevent another scenario like the exits of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen. Gallagher, a key player and fan favorite since he was eight, received a two-year deal with an option for an additional year, which he rejected.
Furthermore, Chelsea’s latest offer was a 2+1 deal, which Gallagher also declined. The club’s decision was influenced by their new high-possession style under Enzo Maresca and financial concerns. Consequently, Gallagher sought a longer contract and a regular starting role to support his England squad aspirations, leading him to pursue a move.
Transfer Window Information
The summer transfer window closes on August 30 at 11 PM UK time for the Premier League and 11:30 PM in Scotland. This alignment with other major European leagues has been arranged to synchronize transfer deadlines.
