Atletico Madrid are increasingly confident they will be able to agree a fee with Chelsea for Conor Gallagher according to reports.
Gallagher is currently on holiday after reaching the final of Euro 2024 with England. He’s in the final year of his contract, and his future is uncertain.
The midfielder was always going to decide his future after the Euros. With the new season drawing ever closer a decision is unlikely to be far away. The 24-year-old has come through Chelsea’s ranks and established himself as a key first-team player last season under Mauricio Pochettino.
Conor Gallagher was an ever present for the Blue. He captained the side for large parts of last season in the absence of Reece James and Ben Chilwell.
The England international is a fan favorite at Stamford Bridge. There’s every chance he could have played his final game for the club.
However, Gallagher can be a useful squad player for the Blues, despite having injury issues at the club.
The England International attracting attention in Europe
Gallagher is attracting interest from rivals Tottenham and La Liga side Atletico, whilst signing a new contract hasn’t been entirely out.
The Spanish outfit are thought to be the side who have expressed the most interest, and Spanish sources say Atletico are “increasingly confident” they will be able to agree a fee with Chelsea.
The report adds that Chelsea value Gallagher at £50m and are determined not to sell him on the cheap, but the Blues will need to worry as they run the risk of losing the midfielder on a free transfer next summer if he remains and they don’t offer him a new deal.
It has not yet been determined. Chelsea allegedly want somewhere in the region of £40m, whereas a previous report has indicated that Atletico initially bid £17m.
The parties, despite the distance between them, are expected to finalize a deal that will meet their needs during the negotiations.
Chelsea cannot afford to lose Gallagher on a free transfer in 2025. While Atletico require a new centre-midfielder after the departure of Saul Niguez to Sevilla.
The two clubs are no strangers to conducting business with Saul having spent time at Chelsea in the past and Azpilicueta having moved to Atletico last summer.
Although the academy graduate enjoyed the best season of his career in 2023-24. There has been constant speculation regarding his future.
With just one year remaining on his contract, Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have been pushing to sell the England international.
While Gallagher would prefer to remain at Stamford Bridge, it has become increasingly apparent that a sale looks more likely than another 12 months with the Blues.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Enzo Maresca spent a fee of £30m to join Chelsea. (Both have left Leicester City for Chelsea.) The squad is reintegrating Romeo Lavia after a season on the sidelines.
Atletico Madrid ready to push for Gallagher
At one point, the suggestion had been that the 24-year-old’s preference was to remain in London. Despite interest from new Champions League participants Aston Villa.
During Euro 2024, Gallagher reportedly spoke with former Atletico defender Kieran Trippier about the possibility of joining a Spanish team.
Reports suggest that Atletico are extremely confident they will be able to finalize a deal for Gallagher.
The report also claims that the La Liga outfit have instigated discussions with Chelsea and are the frontrunners for his signature.
At Civitas Metropolitano, Diego Simeone reportedly considers Gallagher to be the ideal fit for his system. The likelihood being that he would become a first-choice pick in the engine room.
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