Conor Gallagher has returned to London after his proposed move from Chelsea to Atlético Madrid was put on hold, with the England midfielder expected to resume training with the club’s under-21 squad. Atlético had agreed a £34m fee for Gallagher, who has spent the past week in the Spanish capital after completing his medical.
The collapse of Chelsea’s move for striker Samu Omorodion has left the deal in jeopardy, with Atlético needing to sell another player in order to finance their move for the 24-year-old England international. Talks over the re-signing of João Félix are believed to be continuing, with the Portugal forward having expressed an interest in returning to Stamford Bridge after spending six months there on loan in 2023.
In the meantime, Gallagher – who had been staying in a hotel and using Atlético’s facilities to stay fit while he awaited the confirmation of his move – will join fellow outcasts Trevoh Chalobah and Romelu Lukaku in training with Chelsea’s youth side.
Gallagher has rejected a new contract offer from Chelsea and turned down a move to Aston Villa this summer. He must now wait to see if the deal with Atlético can be resurrected or whether any other clubs make a bid. Gallagher has previously indicated that he would consider seeing out his contract at Stamford Bridge, which expires next year.
There could be more departures in the coming weeks if Félix is signed, with the forwards Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke among those who are believed to be on the market. Newcastle have been linked with a move for England Under-21 forward Madueke, while Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are contenders to sign Chalobah after he was left out of Chelsea’s side that toured the United States.
Chelsea are expected to hold further negotiations with Napoli over a potential loan move for Victor Osimhen, with the Italian club having agreed personal terms for a three-year deal with Lukaku. They have yet to match Chelsea’s valuation for the Belgium striker but there is understood to be optimism that a deal for both players can be agreed. Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, is reported to have arrived in London for talks on Wednesday and he is also expected to increase the club’s offer for Brighton midfielder Billy Gilmour.
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has revealed that he and Didier Drogba have been attempting to convince Osimhen to move to Stamford Bridge.
“I hope that Chelsea fans will finally see him come to the club,” said the former Nigeria midfielder. “I’ll make sure I send him those text messages and calls, making sure Chelsea is his top priority. But it seems like he loves the club and wants to come to Chelsea. I’m sure he has all the big clubs wanting to sign him. I think if we can secure his signature it would be fantastic for the club.
“Didier is also speaking to him, sharing his own ideas and what the club means to us. We all want to see Victor come to the club. If it happens, it happens. It’s a huge transfer fee, but if we can match it and get him to the club that would be absolutely fantastic.”
Chelsea have confirmed that Cole Palmer has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension up to 2033 after his brilliant first season. It is understood to include a significant pay rise.
