Conor Gallagher is set to return to Chelsea’s Cobham training ground on Wednesday after his proposed transfer to Atletico Madrid has hit an impasse.
The 24-year-old England international was recently seen at Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium and spent several days in Madrid, but the completion of his £33 million move has stalled.
This disruption follows the collapse of Chelsea’s £34.5 million deal to acquire Spanish striker Samu Omorodion due to failed personal terms on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid now need to make a significant sale to fund Gallagher’s transfer, especially after their recent acquisition of Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez for £81.5 million.
While the Gallagher deal is not yet off, its future remains uncertain.
A potential solution could involve Chelsea signing Portugal forward Joao Felix from Atletico. Felix, who previously spent six months on loan at Chelsea in 2023, could facilitate Gallagher’s move if an agreement on the transfer fee is reached.
However, without a deal for Felix, Gallagher’s transfer is likely to collapse.
With just 11 months left on his contract, Chelsea is eager to sell Gallagher rather than risk losing him for free.
Gallagher, who captained Chelsea for much of last season and played five matches at Euro 2024, is keen to secure regular football with Atletico.
The situation has drawn comparisons to the 2013 incident involving Nigeria striker Peter Odemwingie, who famously waited in a car park for a move that ultimately did not materialize.
Gallagher’s current predicament remains unresolved as both clubs navigate their financial constraints.
Despite the complications, both Chelsea and Atletico Madrid remain interested in finalizing the deal.
