Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are in “direct talks” over the transfer of a player Tottenham were desperate to sign, according to a very sensible source.
Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou’s interest in Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher goes back a long way. The Spurs thought about signing the action star in January, but that move backfired.
Gallagher was among Chelsea’s most productive players under Mauricio Pochettino last season. The Argentine was a wonderful supporter of the midfielder who wore the captain’s armband and desperately wanted Chelsea to sign Gallagher to a new contract.
The 24-year-old’s existing contract expires in 2025 and so far there is no indication that new terms will be agreed.
As such, Chelsea are keen to cash in on Gallagher, who, as a homegrown player, would make an even more lucrative sale for the club.
Furthermore, with Pochettino now replaced by Enzo Maresca, who wasted no time in signing for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Gallagher’s time at Stamford Bridge seems to be coming to an end.
TEAMtalk traded expert Fraser Gillan exclusively on July 24 when initial discussions began about a move to Atletico Madrid.
Like Postecoglou at Spurs, Atletico manager Diego Simeone saw Gallagher’s tireless run and overall effect as the best for his system.
We’ve learned that Atletico have incredible confidence in their ability to close a deal and Gallagher has also spoken to close friends about football life in Spain.
In fact, Gallagher spoke to fellow Englishman Kieran Trippier, who won La Liga with Simeone and Atletico in the 2020/21 season. Trippier has given Gallagher a resounding endorsement to join Atletico Madrid.
Now, according to a new update from movement guru Fabrizio Romano, there have been “direct talks” between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid.
In addition, Romano revealed that Chelsea had asked for a package worth between 35 and 40 million euros, a sum that deters Atletico from moving forward.
“Atletico Madrid and Chelsea are now in direct talks for an agreement with Conor Gallagher,” Romano began.
“Negotiations are underway for a package of around 35/40 million additional euros, requested through Chelsea.
“Gallagher, the smartest on Atletico’s roster as revealed in May, is now last”.
Chelsea and Gallagher had held talks in the past about signing a contract extension, but the club felt the player’s salary demands were too high at the time.
Pochettino’s withdrawal further increases Gallagher’s chances of a breakout, given he is former boss Gallagher’s biggest supporter at the club.
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New coach Maresca strongly favours a possession-based style of play and calls for his XI to be technically talented, comfortable with the ball in tight spaces and push their way through.
Gallagher is definitely an asset to any team he plays for. However, with his playing style more focused on the physical facets of the game and less on the technical elements, he did not seem to fit well into the Maresca system.
Tottenham had Gallagher as their main target in midfield before the summer window opened.
However, the hypothesis that Chelsea were unwilling to sell a bitter opponent like Spurs ensured that the move would never heat up, much to Postecoglou’s dismay.
Instead, Spurs turned their attention to Elland Road by signing Leeds United ace Archie Gray for £40m.
Recent reports had insisted that Tottenham were still sniffing out Gallagher, who is now on his way to signing for Atletico Madrid.
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