“Now getting closer” – Romano provides major transfer update which won’t please some Chelsea fans

Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are now in direct talks over a move for Conor Gallagher with a total package of €35m-€40m being discussed according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Blues have been busy this summer with seven new faces coming through the door at Stamford Bridge, whilst goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen and teenage defender Aaron Anselmino are close to completing their moves to the club.

It’s not just about incomings and Chelsea have a number of players they want to offload this summer, but progress on that front has been slower with Ian Maatsen and Omari Hutchinson the only departures of note.

Gallagher moving closer to Atletico Madrid

One such player is Gallagher, who the ownership have been trying to sell since they took over in 2022, and there’s been heavy speculation over his future given he’s into the final 12 months of his contract.

Despite starring under Mauricio Pochettino last season and captaining the side for the majority of the campaign, no talks over a new deal have seemingly taken place, and the England international, who is currently on holiday after Euro 2024 has been linked with rivals Tottenham and La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid.

It was reported earlier this summer that Atletico were the team that had shown the most interest in the 24-year-old and Romano has now provided a major update on Gallagher’s future.

He took to X.com and said:

“EXCLUSIVE: Atlético Madrid and Chelsea are now in direct talks for Conor Gallagher deal. Negotiations underway for package worth around €35/40m add-ons included, requested by Chelsea. Gallagher, on top of Atlético list as revealed in May — now getting closer.”

Journalist Matteo Moretto has added that the Blues would prefer to sell Gallagher to a club not playing in the Premier League.
This is unlikely to go down well with Chelsea supporters given how popular Gallagher is with the Stamford Bridge faithful, and it’s not likely to help mend the strained relationship between the fans and the ownership.
However, this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone given a departure has seemed inevitable for a while now, particularly with the arrival of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and if Gallagher does leave it’s a shame that he wouldn’t have had the opportunity to say a proper goodbye to the fans.
Tags Conor Gallagher Fabrizio Romano
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