Regardless of making 50 appearances for Chelsea, even sporting the captain’s armband at occasions, and that includes for England at Euro 2024, Conor Gallagher is leaving Chelsea.
Contract negotiations between Gallagher and Chelsea fell aside final week, and though Gallagher needed to remain at Stamford Bridge, he’s now not a part of Chelsea’s plans. A transfer to Atletico Madrid is imminent. Gallagher has flown to Madrid to finish a medical and put the ending touches on a $44 million transfer.
Discord between Gallagher and Chelsea
Conor Gallagher’s transfer comes at a complicated time for Chelsea. Regardless of sacking Mauricio Pochettino and appointing Enzo Maresca because the supervisor, Chelsea nonetheless faces the identical issues. A scarcity of clinicality and stability on the pitch, together with historic money owed within the boardroom have led to catastrophic outcomes below co-owner Todd Boehly.
Chelsea have taken steps to repair the primary downside. They’ve spent upwards of $123 million in signings, together with Leicester midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor and Aston Villa attacker Omari Kellyman.
Their second downside is harder. Chelsea faces switch money owed of over $186 million. Their plans so as to add 18,000 seats to Stamford Bridge might value upwards of $2.5 billion. Regardless of the extravagant spending of Boehly and crew, they should promote to keep away from the Premier League’s PSR guidelines.
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Gallagher’s choices at Atleti
It units the stage for Chelsea’s frantic switch saga with midfielder Conor Gallagher. With Chelsea determining their monetary scenario and purchasing some key gamers across the switch market, Gallagher just lately refused two contract extensions. In flip, Chelsea knowledgeable Gallagher he wouldn’t be a part of their first-team plans and locked him out of the first-team’s coaching middle.
Chelsea accepted Atletico Madrid’s $44 million supply for Gallagher. Gallagher, nonetheless hopeful of returning to Chelsea, held out for a possible reverse, however it didn’t come. Torn between becoming a member of Atleti and entertaining curiosity from London rivals Tottenham, Gallagher determined to hitch Atletico Madrid.
The switch is very candy for Chelsea since they will register their $44 million as pure revenue. Gallagher is a homegrown participant, which means they received’t should deal with any earlier prices. It additionally opens up taking part in time for Dewsbury-Corridor and midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.
Gallagher is predicted to ink a five-year contract with Atletico Madrid that would pay him as a lot as $12 million yearly.
Transfer is sensible for Atleti
Gallagher is finest identified for his work fee. He’s a tough employee who can press for all 90 minutes. He embodies the Atletico Madrid spirit — gritty, defensively stable, and underrated technically. Gallagher might play anyplace within the midfield, however he’ll have a little bit of hassle breaking into the beginning eleven.
Gallagher slots in as one of many first-choice midfielders in Diego Simeone’s three-man midfield. Simeone at the moment depends on Rodrigo de Paul, Koke, and Marcos Llorente, with Pablo Barrios and Arthur Vermeeren coming off the bench.
The information follows Atleti’s pursuit of Manchester Metropolis striker Julian Alvarez. Alvarez might be a part of for round $90 million, 5 occasions the quantity Metropolis paid for Alvarez in 2022. He’s anticipated to fill the void up prime after Alvaro Morata left for Milan. He’s been heralded as Antoine Griezmann’s successor.
Chelsea are nonetheless pushing to signal Napoli striker Victor Osimhen with their final main signing of the window. They’ll should pay round $110 million to signal the Nigerian talisman, preventing off curiosity from PSG and Arsenal. They might additionally signal Atleti goal man Samu Omorodion for round $38 million.
Photograph: IMAGO / PA Photos
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