Atletico Madrid emerge as realistic option to sign Chelsea star Conor Gallagher
Conor Gallagher was arguably the second-best Chelsea player last season behind only Cole Palmer as he started 37 Premier League games, scoring five goals and providing seven assists in the process and was also the team’s captain 12 times.
Regrettably, the club’s tight financial situation has meant that the board plans to offload Gallagher this summer as his sale would show a 100% profit in their books of accounting given he is an academy graduate.
Though it looks like Gallagher wants to stay and is a fan favourite, Mauricio Pochettino’s departure seems to have adversely impacted his future prospects as Enzo Maresca may entirely discount him from his plans.
Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur had already registered interest in signing the English international and as per Football London (citing Fabrizio Romano), Atletico Madrid have also joined the race.
Los Rojiblancos’ interest in the 24-year-old has been described as ‘genuine’ but they will need to pay an ‘expensive’ amount to acquire the midfielder as Chelsea are understood to be valuing him at £50 million.
Whether Diego Simeone’s side is ready to pay the amount or not remains to be seen but the west Londoners may be hesitant in selling Gallagher to a Premier League rival, consequently being ready to potentially lower their asking price for Atletico.
The Cobham graduate’s departure will hurt Chelsea without a shadow of doubt in the shorter run as he was a vital force in their midfield and also made a respectable amount of goal contributions in the final third.
It will be interesting to see whether they insert any buyback clause or right to first refusal following Gallagher’s sale, or at the very least a sell-on clause for his subsequent transfer.
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A cash influx worth £50 million, however, will help Todd Boehly see the back of any possible Financial Fair Play ramifications and allow the American businessman to focus on newer acquisitions.
