Chelsea’s Gallagher set for £33m switch to Atletico
CHELSEA have reportedly agreed a £33 million fee with Atletico Madrid for the sale of Conor Gallagher. The midfielder, who rejected Aston Villa following long-term interest, looks set to bring his saga to a close.
The Englishman had been on Unai Emery’s radar for the majority of the Spaniard’s time at the club with activity intensifying in the January 2023 and current transfer windows. This summer marked a pivotal time in his career, owing to his contract at boyhood club Chelsea running out in 12 months’ time.
Now following the recent suggestion that Gallagher rejected the chance to switch West London for the West Midlands when Villa saw what would have been a club-record sum accepted in June, he has instead taken a much more positive approach to the latest offer from Atletico Madrid.
Fabrizio Romano claims that a five-year contract has been verbally agreed between the player and the Spanish club, who have also gone through negotiations with Chelsea to settle on a £33m sum.
From the selling side it appears to be the easiest outcome as Gallagher was reportedly in line for a reduced role in Enzo Maresca’s plans should be chosen to have stayed and run down his contract for a year before eventually earning his club nothing in terms of an exit fee.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have been drawn against either Braga or Servette in the play-off round for the group phase of the Europa Conference League.
The first leg will take place on Thursday, August 22, at Stamford Bridge, with Enzo Maresca’s Blues visiting Portugal or Switzerland a week later.