Atletico Madrid have agreed a deal worth around £40million with Chelsea for Conor Gallagher, sources have confirmed to HITC.
Gallagher’s long-term future has been up-in-the-air for the last 12-months, but now his situation is becoming clearer.
The England midfielder’s current deal is due to expire in the summer of 2025 and Chelsea have long made it clear they did not want another high-profile free transfer leaving the club following on from the likes of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, who left Stamford Bridge for nothing in recent years.
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Atletico Madrid confident of Conor Gallagher agreement
HITC can now reveal that Gallagher, who has been in deep discussions with his camp in recent days, has indicated he is ready to move to Spain after Atletico agreed terms with Chelsea.
Sources have told HITC that Atletico are confident of finalising a deal with the 24-year-old England international.
HITC has been told that Atletico head coach Diego Simeone has been pushing hard for Gallagher as he thinks he could make a huge impact in the Spanish league.
Atletico and Chelsea are now awaiting the final decision from Gallagher.
Chelsea sources have stated that Gallagher has also now turned down their offer of a new two-year contract with an option for a third, which they claim would have put him on par with the club’s top earners.
However, sources close to the player have also pointed to the fact that a two-year offer is way off what a star player would expect as he had wanted to pledge his long-term future to the club.
Gallagher won’t be joining Premier League rival
Chelsea have now accepted the offer from Atletico and sources have told HITC that they are happy that Gallagher looks to be heading abroad, rather than to a Premier League rival.
Aston Villa had spoken to Chelsea earlier this summer, but the player never showed much appetite to join Unai Emery’s side, whilst Tottenham Hotspur have retained a strong interest with Ange Postecoglou keen to land him.
HITC revealed this week that Tottenham would have been willing to match Atletico’s offer, had Gallagher showed the willingness to push for a move to North London but that has not been forthcoming.
Whilst respecting Tottenham, HITC is told that Gallagher has never had a real desire to join one of Chelsea’s rivals given his love for his boyhood club.
Gallagher is not on Chelsea’s tour of North America after being given extra time offer and has been training back at their Cobham HQ with the likes of Cole Palmer and Marc Cucurella.
And head coach Enzo Maresca admitted this week that he was open to what could happen with Gallagher.
“At the moment, Conor will be back with us when we are at Cobham, I think he is already at Cobham or he will be in the next few days to start to do something with Cole (Palmer) and Marc (Cucurella),” said the Italian.
“Then he will train with us. When the transfer window is open, unfortunately, anything can happen. Not only for Conor but for all of the players.”
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