- Conor Gallagher reportedly set to complete £35.8m move to Atletico Madrid
- The deal had been in limbo but was revived by Chelsea’s arrival of Joao Felix
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Conor Gallagher has landed in Madrid and looks set to finally complete his move from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid.
Gallagher had agreed personal terms with the Spanish club weeks ago, but the deal was thrown into limbo after Chelsea called off their pursuit of Atletico striker Samu Omorodion.
The 24-year-old waited in Madrid until his move was completed before he could return to the UK amid uncertainty surrounding the deal.
With Diego Simeone’s team needing money to complete the deal, Gallagher has been training alone at the Blues’ training camp in Cobham since his return from the Spanish capital.
According to a report by The AthleticsThe deal has now been completed and Gallagher returned to Madrid on Tuesday evening to finally complete his departure from his boyhood club.
Conor Gallagher poses with airport staff after landing in Madrid ahead of his transfer to Atletico
Gallagher is finally set to complete his move to Atletico after a protracted transfer saga
The England international signs a five-year contract at the Stadio Metropolitano until 2029. The deal is reportedly worth €42 million (£35.8 million), including an undisclosed sale fee.
Now that an agreement has been reached, the move is expected to be officially announced soon.
Chelsea completed terms on Monday to make Portuguese forward Joao Felix their ninth summer signing.
This freed up funds for Gallagher, who became the second England international ever to play for Atlético after his Three Lions team-mate Kieran Trippier.
Gallagher made 95 appearances in all competitions for the Blues after joining the club at the age of eight.
With Reece James out injured, the midfielder was regularly captain last season, and under Mauricio Pochettino they recovered from a poor start to secure European football.
However, under new manager Enzo Maresca, Gallagher’s long-term future at the club looked a lot more uncertain. His contract expired in June after he rejected two extensions, opening up the possibility of a move to Atlético.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone is finally set to sign the Chelsea midfielder after heavy links
Atletico have freed up cash with the sale of Joao Felix to the Stamford Bridge club
Los Colchoneros finished fourth in La Liga last season, their lowest position in more than a decade.
The club started the current season on Monday with a 2-2 draw away to Villarreal.
