Chelsea are awaiting a decision on Conor Gallagher after the club accepted a £33 million offer from Atletico Madrid, The Pitch Prospect has learned.
The Blues are ready to sell Gallagher after the midfielder rejected a second contract offer on Wednesday.
5
Gallagher’s current contract expires in 2025 and Chelsea are not prepared to let the academy graduate enter his final year.
They had accepted a higher, club-record offer from Aston Villa earlier this summer, but Gallagher rejected the move.
Tottenham remain interested, but The Pitch Prospect has learned that the English midfielder is hesitant to move to a Premier League rival and would like to play in the Champions League, making Atletico Madrid a suitable destination.
The 24-year-old has been offered a two-year contract with an option for a further year, with a salary comparable to that of the top earners in Chelsea’s midfield.
The Pitch Prospect has learned that the England midfielder felt a two-year deal would not do justice to his role in the team, particularly given the length of the contracts offered to new signings.
Gallagher, who started 37 of 38 Premier League games last season, will only join Atletico if conditions are right for him and he is not forced to resign against his will.
The length of the contract was a key issue for Gallagher, as new signings receive significantly longer contracts.
Atletico Madrid showed interest earlier this summer but were unable to meet Chelsea’s £50 million asking price.
But this week came a breakthrough when the west London team drastically reduced their valuation and accepted Atletico’s offer of £33 million plus add-ons that could go up to £37.9 million.
That’s a whopping £17 million less than Chelsea had originally hoped for – and probably less than Villa’s offer too.
5
Gallagher has yet to discuss personal terms with Atletico Madrid and could still decide to let his contract at Stamford Bridge expire.
Former Tottenham midfielder and The Pitch Prospect presenter Jamie O’Hara reacted to the news, saying: “I think it’s a disgrace. They’re letting him go. He’s captain of the football club, works hard and loves the team.”
“Everyone likes him and he gives his all on the football pitch. You never see him missing from the football pitch. What he lacks in quality he makes up for with heart and enthusiasm.”
“I think they are making a mistake by getting rid of players like that.”
ACADEMY STAR
The 24-year-old has been under contract with Chelsea since he was eight years old and made the jump to the first team two years ago after four loan spells.
He was named Academy Player of the Year for the 2018/19 season and gained Championship experience at Charlton and Swansea in the Championship and West Brom and Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
The Pitch Prospect presenter Rory Jennings was furious that another academy product was being sold.
“This is another academy product that already has a good relationship with the fans being sacrificed so that our faceless sporting directors can play this ridiculous game of Championship Manager,” Jennings said.
5
“Yes, he divides the fan base to some extent, but the fans who go to the games will certainly have felt nothing but love for Conor Gallagher at Stamford Bridge.
“His banner is constantly flying out, he was captain of the club, there is only love for him there.
“There is a debate about how good he is as a footballer. I think he is a very good player. I think there is always room for a Conor Gallagher in our team.”
“We should also remember, and I don’t want this to sound disrespectful to Kieran Dewsbury-Hall, but Conor Gallagher played for England, he was a European Championship finalist with England. We are replacing him with Kieran Dewsbury Hall, he is a Championship player. So Chelsea have gotten worse.”
CAPTAIN
Gallagher was named the club’s de facto captain last season, as first and second-choice players Reece James and Ben Chilwell missed most of last season through injury.
Last season he played in all but one Premier League game for Mauricio Pochettino.
Fans even unveiled a giant Gallagher banner at Stamford Bridge last season, such is their opinion of him.
5
After being named captain of the team, he said: “This means everything to me, a really proud moment. I had a very proud family at home so I’m glad it was a win and a good performance. I’m just very grateful and proud.”
“I’ve been here since I came to the academy when I was seven or eight years old and I live just ten minutes down the road. It’s a dream at the moment.”
ENGLAND INTERNATIONAL
Gallagher made his England debut in 2021 and played 18 times for his country.
Most of that came in the last 18 months, when he was a key player in the Euro 2024 squad that reached the final.
He started against Slovenia as Gareth Southgate tinkered with his team, but eventually lost his place to Kobbie Mainoo.
Gallagher made five appearances and was often substituted in the closing stages to strengthen the midfield.
5
FANS OUTRAGED
Gallagher may have divided opinions among some fans, but supporters who called into The Pitch Prospect on Wednesday night were furious at the decision to sell him.
One said: “Absolutely furious. I honestly don’t recognise the club anymore, what they are doing. They are literally tearing us apart.”
“They sell everything they can and spend billions on these players of the future, even though we have no experience at all. He is our captain.”
Another said: “This is a joke mate, you know what? The whole Chelsea academy is underrated.”
“They should take advantage of this legal loophole that is about making local players 100 percent profitable, because the clubs are already taking advantage of them.”