As The Pitch Prospect has learned, Conor Gallagher will travel to Madrid today to complete his departure from Chelsea.
Gallagher has signed a five-year contract with Atletico Madrid, who negotiated a £33 million deal with the Blues.
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The England international turned down the offer of a new two-year contract at Stamford Bridge as he feels the contract term does not match his position in the team.
However, Chelsea are understood to have made it clear to Gallagher that he is not expected to be a regular first-team starter next season due to his possession-based style of football under new manager Enzo Maresca.
As a result, Gallagher was banned from the first team as the club was unwilling to let him leave on a free transfer the following year.
Chelsea had previously accepted a record offer from Aston Villa for the 24-year-old, but the player rejected the move.
Gallagher has been at Chelsea since he was eight years old and spent four loan spells at Charlton, Swansea, West Brom and Swansea before being promoted to the first team in 2022.
Over the last two years, he has scored ten goals and provided as many assists in 95 games in all competitions.
It’s hard to believe, but he only missed four top-flight games in the 2023/24 season. No other Chelsea player played in more games last season than Gallagher did in his 50th season.
Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara believes it would be a big mistake if Chelsea let him go.
Reacting to the news that Atletico’s transfer offer had been accepted, the The Pitch Prospect co-host said: “I think it’s a disgrace. They’re letting him go.”
“He is captain of the football club, works hard and loves the team.
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“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.”