- HERE WE GO: Chelsea remains steadfast in their £50M valuation of Conor Gallagher, despite interest from Tottenham and Atletico Madrid.
Chelsea is steadfast in not selling midfielder Conor Gallagher at a discount, despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid. Sources in Spain indicate that Atletico Madrid is increasingly confident about striking a deal with Chelsea for the English midfielder.
Tottenham has long shown interest in Gallagher, who even captained Chelsea several times last season due to injuries to regular captains Reece James and Ben Chilwell. While Atletico Madrid admires Gallagher, they have struggled to meet Chelsea’s £50 million asking price. Chelsea remains firm on this valuation before considering parting with their academy graduate.
Gallagher’s contract situation adds complexity to the transfer talks. With just one year remaining on his current deal, he has leverage. He can choose to stay at Stamford Bridge for the final year of his contract if a satisfactory offer doesn’t materialize, allowing him to leave for free next summer and choose his next destination freely.
Reports suggest Atletico Madrid considered a loan deal for Gallagher. However, with only 12 months left on his contract, a loan move isn’t financially viable for Chelsea, as they risk losing him without a transfer fee.
Chelsea’s approach to academy players like Gallagher has shifted. Having spent over £1 billion on new young talents, homegrown players are now viewed as sellable assets to balance the books and recoup some investment. This marks a change from previous years when academy graduates were more likely to be retained.
Gallagher, currently on an extended holiday after helping England reach the Euro 2024 final, was crucial for Chelsea last season. He missed only one league game as the team climbed from mid-table to finish sixth, securing a Europa Conference League spot for the upcoming season. As Chelsea evaluates their options, it remains to be seen whether Gallagher will stay with the club or seek a new challenge.