Conor Gallagher’s move to Atletico Madrid is expected to proceed after Chelsea agreed a deal to sign Joao Felix from the Spanish club.
The Athletic reported earlier on Monday that Chelsea had agreed a deal to re-sign Joao Felix and had agreed a six-year contract with the option of an additional 12 months with the 24-year-old.
Gallagher has since been granted permission to travel to Madrid on Tuesday in order to complete his move.
The England midfielder travelled to Spain to finalise a €42million (£36m) move in early August after agreeing personal terms and underwent a medical only for the transfer to stall. He returned to the UK at Chelsea’s request last Tuesday before undergoing medical tests with the club as all players do following holidays.
Gallagher had previously been given an extended break following his participation with England at Euro 2024.
The 24-year-old’s future has been the subject of discussion and speculation for the past year. He has less than a year left on his contract and has attracted interest from fellow Premier League sides Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.
Joao Felix is poised to return to Chelsea after a six-month loan spell in west London in 2023 (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
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Gallagher has previously rejected Chelsea’s contract offers of two years with the option of a third that would have moved his salary in line with the highest earners in the team’s midfield.
Chelsea have been prepared to listen to offers for Gallagher — who represents ‘pure profit’ from a profitability and sustainability (PSR) perspective — with doubts about how he will fit into new head coach Enzo Maresca’s system.
Gallagher is a product of the club’s academy and spent time on loan at Charlton Athletic, Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace before making his debut for his boyhood side in 2022. Since then, Gallagher has played 95 times for Chelsea and scored 10 goals.
Last season, he registered seven goals and nine assists in 50 appearances in all competitions under Mauricio Pochettino and started all but one of Chelsea’s Premier League games — with his one absence due to suspension.
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(Top photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
