Conor Gallagher’s move to Atletico Madrid has taken a dramatic turn, with the Chelsea midfielder now set to fly back to London as his transfer deal hangs in the balance.
The £36m ($46m) move, agreed last Thursday, is now in serious doubt due to complications with other transfers involving both clubs.
Gallagher, who passed his medical and even agreed a five-year contract with Atletico, now finds himself in a precarious position.
The transfer, which seemed almost certain, now faces significant obstacles, with Atletico’s financial problems playing a major role in the delay.
Negotiations stall, Gallagher in limbo
Chelsea’s failed move for Samu Omorodion has been a major setback. Chelsea had been negotiating for Joao Felix as an alternative, but Atletico’s £50 million ($64 million) valuation of Felix is a far cry from the £34.5 million ($44.1 million) originally agreed for Omorodion. With no deal in sight, Gallagher’s future remains uncertain.
As the situation drags on, it has been deemed unfair that Gallagher continues to train alone in Madrid, living in a hotel and with no clear solution in sight. Sources suggest it is best for the 23-year-old to return to Chelsea while negotiations continue.
Barring a sudden breakthrough, Gallagher is expected to return to London on Tuesday and be given some time off before returning to training. However, he may not train with the first team; instead, he will be grouped with the likes of Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah.
Atletico, bound by La Liga’s strict financial rules, still need to raise further funds to complete Gallagher’s signing. The Spanish club’s financial constraints, coupled with UEFA regulations, are creating ongoing challenges to completing the deal.
Despite the uncertainty, a resolution on Gallagher’s future is expected before the transfer window closes on August 30. While a move to Atletico remains possible, the situation is far from resolved.
