- Chelsea accepted a £33.7million bid for their youth player earlier this week
- Gallagher’s deal with Stamford Bridge is set to expire at the end of the next term
- The 24-year-old was captain of the team several times under former national coach Pochettino
Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher will travel to Madrid on Monday with the intention of signing a five-year contract with Atlético after a breakthrough was reached in negotiations.
Atlético completed a £33.7million deal with Chelsea last week and demanded an agreement today.
Chelsea had made it clear to Gallagher that it was in his best interest to leave after 16 years at Stamford Bridge. Negotiations with the club accelerated on Sunday and a resolution was reached in the early hours of the morning.
Gallagher will fly to Madrid with his representative Paul Nicholls to finalise terms, with all agreements for the England international expected to be signed later today.
Tottenham kept abreast of developments but did not pursue a bid from the rival.
Conor Gallagher is set to end his 16-year contract with the Blues after reaching an agreement with Atletico Madrid
Gallagher was told he would have a smaller role under new boss Enzo Maresca
Atletico held off competition from several clubs, including Tottenham, for the 24-year-old. Pictured: Manager Diego Simeone
Chelsea have already offered Gallagher a two-year contract with an option for a further year twice, after accepting a £57.5m bid from Aston Villa in June and following Atlético’s bid last week.
The 24-year-old was open to staying at the club, where he was captain under Mauricio Pochettino last season, but wanted a longer-term deal similar to those offered to his team-mates.
However, the situation reached a head on Friday when he was told upon returning from holiday that he would not be part of the Chelsea first-team dressing room and would likely be given a supporting role if he remained under Enzo Maresca.
There are concerns that the academy alumnus will not fit into Maresca’s system as speculation mounts about a permanent departure from the club where he spent his youth.
Chelsea are reportedly eyeing Celtic’s Matt O’Riley as a potential midfield replacement. O’Riley scored 18 goals in 37 games for Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic, who triumphed in the Scottish Premiership last season.
O’Riley was born in London and represented England at various youth levels before switching his international allegiance to Denmark, making his senior debut last year.