Chelsea star’s move to Madrid is agreed by clubs

The midfield issue at Atlético Madrid is close to being resolved. According to AS sources, the Spanish club has reached a preliminary agreement with Chelsea for the transfer of Conor Gallagher. So what else have we learned?

How much is Conor Gallagher’s transfer?

Our sources state that Leti will pay around 45 million euros (c.$49 million) plus add-ons for the English player, an amount closer to the more than €50 million (c.$54 million) that Chelsea initially sought at the beginning of the summer. While the deal between the clubs is settled, the situation with the player is yet to be resolved. Atlético has had to work against the clock to close this key operation for the management.

Madrid decision deadline

Sources close to the operation emphasise that the transfer will only be completed if Gallagher ultimately accepts the offer. Gallagher’s decision remains a “mystery” at this point, but in London, it is believed that he is interested in starting a new life in the Spanish capital. For their part, Madrid has given a deadline until the end of the week to receive a response, whether positive or negative, so that they can continue clear preparations. Meanwhile, Gallagher is training alone in Cobham, awaiting the resolution of his future.

Chelsea hopes the situation will be resolved soon, preferring to sell their captain to a team that is not a direct rival in the Premier League, where he has several suitors. Aston Villa is said to have made an “offer far superior to that made by Atlético,” but it was the player himself who rejected the proposal. Other clubs, such as Tottenham, have shown interest in the Englishman but have not yet entered the race.

Atlético has been working on the Gallagher deal since last June. Initial contacts between the clubs began before the Euros with a first offer of €20 million. Both parties agreed to resume talks after the tournament in Germany. The management never forgot about Gallagher, despite pursuing other deals along the way, some emerging unexpectedly, like Mikel Merino. However, Gallagher has always been the top choice for the midfield, the most coveted player.

Gallagher’s “no” to Chelsea

But now all roads lead to Madrid. With a contract until June 2025, Chelsea made two renewal offers to their captain, the first in June and another at the end of July. These proposals, which would extend his commitment to the Blues by three seasons, included a salary increase that would place him among the highest-paid players in the squad.

Gallagher himself decided to turn a deaf ear to the siren calls of the club he has developed at. The reasons are varied. At Chelsea, they believe it might be due to the allure of Madrid’s project or, in the worst-case scenario, it is with a desire to stay at Stamford Bridge and leave for free next summer, knowing he will not lack offers. Atlético will have clarity in the coming hours. The ball is in Gallagher’s court.