Chelsea deal with Atletico Madrid revives Gallagher move – reports

Atletico Madrid are set to complete the signing of Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher after rescuing the deal by agreeing a fee with the Premier League side to send Joao Felix in the opposite direction, according to multiple reports.

England midfielder Gallagher flew to Madrid earlier this month and was pictured by the club at their Metropolitano Stadium, only for the move – said to be worth £36 million – to fall through because it was contingent on Chelsea agreeing terms with Atleti striker Samu Omorodion.

The funds Atleti are expected to receive for striker Felix will allow them to buy Gallagher, who has less than a year left on his Chelsea contract.

A lovely first Premier League goal for Joao Felix! 👏 pic.twitter.com/nPWt1BcAHt

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 11, 2023

Joao Felix stats

Portugal international Felix, who has eight goals in 41 Selecao caps, spent last season on loan at Barcelona, scoring 10 times in 44 matches.

Chelsea signed him on loan during the second half of the 2022-23 season, receiving a return of four goals in 16 league appearances.

Now 24, Felix became Atleti’s record signing when he joined Diego Simeone’s side for £113m from Benfica in 2019, scoring nine times and providing three assists in 36 appearances in his first season at the club.

Benfica wonderkid Joao Felix celebrated his goal this weekend with his brother Hugo, who was a ballboy at the game 👏 pic.twitter.com/vMYRG44pSn

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 16, 2019

Conor Gallagher 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.

The 24-year-old has been at Chelsea 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.

Conor Gallagher visitó el Cívitas @Metropolitano mientras Atlético de Madrid y Chelsea FC ultiman su traspaso. pic.twitter.com/yKDEl9v3LA

— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) August 9, 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 their 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.