Chelsea
midfielder Conor Gallagher is expected to return to the UK on Tuesday after
spending five days in transfer limbo in Madrid.
Gallagher's £36m move to Atletico Madrid was agreed last Thursday but is now
in jeopardy after the deal for Samu Omorodion to leave the LaLiga side for
Chelsea collapsed.
Negotiations continue between Chelsea and Atletico over a deal for Joao
Felix, which would revive Gallagher's transfer to the Spanish side.
Felix's valuation is substantially higher than the £34.5m agreed for
Omorodion.
Staying or going? Gallagher's
busy summer
June 4 - Aston Villa, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham all have an
interest in Gallagher, who has just one year left on his Chelsea
deal
July 30 - Atletico continue to negotiate for Gallagher after having
a £30m bid rejected
August 1 - Gallagher turns down a move to Villa and a two-year
contract offer from Chelsea, who then agree terms with Atletico
August 4 - Gallagher accepts a £36m move shortly before the deadline
set by Atletico, who also lined up a deal for Valencia's Javi Guerra
August 7 - Gallagher flies to Madrid to complete his Atletico move
August 8 - Gallagher completes his Atletico medical and is expected
to sign a five-year deal
August 9 - Chelsea agree a £34.5m deal for Atletico striker Samu
Omorodion
August 12 - Omorodion's move to Chelsea falls through, throwing
Gallagher's exit into doubt, as the Blues open talks with Atletico
for Joao Felix
August 13 - Gallagher expected to return to the UK, with his
Atletico move still on standby
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Sources in Spain believe Atletico want in excess of £50m for Felix, who
scored four goals in 20 games while on loan at Chelsea in the second half of
the 2022/23 season but was not retained following the appointment of
Mauricio Pochettino.
It is collectively agreed it would be best for Gallagher to return home
while talks continue, with an agreement not yet thought to be close.
It is considered unfair on Gallagher for him to train alone in Madrid and
live in a hotel for an indefinite period, while the uncertainty of whether
he can sign for Atletico hangs over him.
Like any professional footballer, Gallagher requires specific training,
nutrition and rest in order to stay in peak condition.
Unless there is a breakthrough in negotiations, it is thought Gallagher will
fly back to London later on Tuesday before being given some time off.
It is expected there will be a resolution to Gallagher's future before the
window closes on August 30, and a move to Atletico remains possible.
However, Atletico side need further cash to complete the deal, with UEFA and
LaLiga financial regulations an ongoing issue to manage for the Spanish
side.
LaLiga provide clubs with individualised spending limits at the start of
each season.
If and when Gallagher returns to Cobham, the England international is
expected to train with a separate group from the first team that includes
Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah - unless he is told otherwise.
Gallagher has already passed a medical and agreed a five-year contract with
Atletico after arriving in Madrid late last week.
The midfielder has been pictured in the Wanda Metropolitano by the club and
around the capital by sections of the Spanish media.
Omorodion's move fell through due to contractual issues - but did not
prevent Atletico signing Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez for £82m on
Monday.
Omorodion scored eight goals in 35 LaLiga appearances last season while on
loan at Alaves.
Chelsea unveiled their 10th summer signing on Sunday in Wolves winger Pedro
Neto, who has joined in a £54m deal.
The Blues have already added Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Filip Jorgensen, Omari
Kellyman, Aaron Anselmino, Renato Veiga, Caleb Wiley, Marc Guiu and Tosin
Adarabioyo during this transfer window.
A deal has also been agreed for Palmeiras teenager Estevao Willian, who will
arrive next summer.
However, Chelsea have been unable to agree a new contract with Gallagher,
who graduated from the academy at Cobham but has just one year remaining on
his deal.
Gallagher rejected a move to Aston Villa earlier in the window, while there
has also been interest from Tottenham.
Meanwhile, Broja is ready to move to Stuttgart - who are in early talks to
sign the Chelsea striker - according to Sky Germany.
Sky Sports News reported this summer that Broja is on the shortlists at
Everton and Southampton, among others.
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