HITC understands that England international Conor Gallagher has decided to leave Chelsea and join Atletico Madrid.
Atletico made their move for Gallagher last week and agreed a €40million deal (£33million) with Chelsea for the 24-year-old.
Gallagher has been considering his options over the last week, as he was deciding whether to join Atletico or indeed stay at Chelsea and potentially run down his contract and leave for free next summer.
There had been other interest in Gallagher, including from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur and they would have matched Atletico’s offer if the player had shown any sort of willingness to make the move across London, but he did not.
Conor Gallagher decides the time is right to leave Chelsea
Gallagher and his representatives have known since last summer that the club’s hierarchy did not see him as part of their long-term plans.
Despite being the most used player in the Premier League under previous boss Mauricio Pochettinho, and also taking the captain’s armband, a new contract offer was not forthcoming from Chelsea.
Gallagher has made it clear that his preference was to stay at Chelsea and in recent weeks he finally was offered a deal, but it was for just two-years – which he realised was a clear indication that he had no future at the club under the current regime.
He was allowed extra time off this summer following his participation in Euro 2024 and he was also informed by Chelsea that as well as no longer being regarded as part of their senior leadership team, it was likely that he would not be included in their Premier League squad this season – as is set to happen with Trevoh Chalobah.
New boss Enzo Maresca is understood to be on-board with Chelsea’s stance as he did not see Gallagher as being essential the make-up of how he wants the team to play this season, but HITC understands that a number of players within the squad have expressed their ‘shock’ and ‘disappointment’ at the treatment of Gallagher this summer.
Atletico Madrid told that they are landing Conor Gallagher
Now Gallagher has informed Atletico that he is ready to take accept their offer, having already agreed terms in principle on a five-year deal and he is now due for his medical on Monday.
Atletico had told Gallagher that they wanted to know his decision early this week as they could not afford to wait too much longer, but they always retained confidence of luring him to the Spanish capital and now they have got their man.
Gallagher leaves Chelsea after 16 years with the club having joined aged just eight. He has only been a first-team regular for the last two seasons having impressed during loan spells away from the club and now he departs having made 95 appearances for the club.
The post Exclusive - Chelsea and Atletico Madrid informed of Conor Gallagher decision appeared first on HITC.
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