Chelsea midfielder set for Atletico Madrid transfer

Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher is expected to fly to Spain on Monday to complete a move to Atletico Madrid, according to multiple reports.

Atletico Madrid made a successful offer of around £34 million last week for the England international, who is out of contract in 2025 and has not agreed new terms at Stamford Bridge.

The 24-year-old decided to join the 11-time Spanish champions a minute before a deadline of the weekend, Sky Sports have said.

The outlet added that Chelsea are considering replacing Gallagher with Celtic’s Matt O’Riley, who was born in London and spent 11 years with Fulham until 2020, and said two other “top-six” clubs in the Premier League asked about Gallagher last week.

🚨🔴⚪️ EXCLUSIVE: Conor Gallagher has verbally agreed terms and said YES to join Atlético Madrid!

‘Here we go’ to follow today after formal steps, five year deal 🧨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

La Liga’s record fee this summer, €40m to Chelsea — brokered by Ali Barat from Epic Sports and Paul Nicholls. pic.twitter.com/7rOQgmY2jh

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 5, 2024

Conor Gallagher Chelsea stats

Gallagher started all 37 Premier League matches he was available for in 2023/24, captaining the Blues while scoring five times and providing seven assists.

He has been at the club since 2008, including loan spells with Charlton Athletic, Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace since becoming a first-team squad member in 2019.

In his breakthrough season at Chelsea in 2022/23, Gallagher featured in all but four matches he was in contention for in all competitions,  helping his side reach the Uefa Champions League quarter-finals.

🚨🔴⚪️ EXCLUSIVE: Conor Gallagher has verbally agreed terms and said YES to join Atlético Madrid!

‘Here we go’ to follow today after formal steps, five year deal 🧨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

La Liga’s record fee this summer, €40m to Chelsea — brokered by Ali Barat from Epic Sports and Paul Nicholls. pic.twitter.com/7rOQgmY2jh

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 5, 2024

Conor Gallagher England career

The former England youth international made his senior Three Lions debut as a substitute in a 10-0 win over San Marino in November 2021.

Selection for the 2022 Fifa World Cup followed, where Gallagher was an unused substitute in all of England’s six matches in Qatar.

Former manager Gareth Southgate gave Gallagher 18 caps, starting him in the closing group-stage game against Slovenia at Euro 2024.

The move was part of an attempt by Southgate to find a defensive midfielder who could improve England’s cohesion, but Gallagher was withdrawn at half-time of the 0-0 draw.

Gallagher appeared again as a substitute in England’s quarter-final win over Slovakia and semi-final victory over the Netherlands.