Chelsea and England midfielder Conor Gallagher is set to join Atletico Madrid after failing to agree on a new contract with the Blues.
Chelsea agreed to the deal last week, valued at around £34 million, after failing to reach new contract terms with the 24-year-old, who captained the side last season.
Conor Gallagher of Chelsea celebrates after scoring 2-0 goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea FC and West Ham United (Pic – EPA/Tolga Akmen)
Despite interest from other top-six Premier League clubs and a higher bid from Aston Villa, Gallagher chose Atletico Madrid and made the final decision just before the weekend deadline.
If discussions proceed smoothly and he passes the medical examination, he is expected to sign a five-year contract.
Gallagher has been with Chelsea since he was six, made 72 Premier League appearances and made five appearances for England in the recent European Championship.
Chelsea proposed a two-year contract to Gallagher, with an option for an additional year.
However, Gallagher found this offer unfavourable due to both the short duration and the lesser role he would play in the squad.
A clear rift developed between Gallagher and Chelsea, as he was seen as an ill fit for new manager Enzo Maresca’s possession-based tactics, which would prevent him from being a regular starter under the Italian.
