Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has reportedly been provided with encouragement to sign for Atletico Madrid.
Gallagher has just enjoyed his best campaign in a Blues shirt, captaining the team for more than half the season and chipping in with five goals and seven assists from 37 Premier League starts.
However, there has been constant speculation that co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are eager to cash in on the academy graduate to help the club's position with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability regulations.
Furthermore, doubts have emerged over whether new head coach Enzo Maresca views the qualities that the England international possesses as an ideal fit for his tactics, which will revolve around retaining hold of the ball.
With less than one year remaining on his contract, Gallagher holds a certain level of power regarding the next move of his career, whether it comes to Chelsea's benefit or not.
The 24-year-old would have countless more options at his disposal in 2025 if he were to bide his time before departing on a free transfer.
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Gallagher encouraged to move to Madrid
Nevertheless, it appears that Gallagher has been given advice over a move to Spain, rather than remaining in London which is believed to be his preference.
According to AS, Kieran Trippier has unofficially been trying to aid their efforts to sign Gallagher.
The right-back is fondly regarded at Atletico having contributed 11 assists from 86 appearances across a two-and-a-half-year stint at the club, where he also won the La Liga title.
Trippier, now at Newcastle United, has recently spent time with Gallagher on international duty at Euro 2024 and is said to have encouraged his Three Lions teammate to give serious consideration to a move to Madrid.
As it stands, it is unclear whether Gallagher is prepared to take Tripper's comments on board, but he will be contemplating his future before starting pre-season training with Chelsea.
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What is Gallagher likely to do?
This is a complex scenario with all three outcomes - a transfer, a new contract and a departure in 2025 - all realistically on the table.
Gallagher has consistently stated that he wishes to remain at Chelsea, a club that he has represented since 2008, and he would likely jump at the chance to extend his terms, providing that it was an acceptable offer.
Chelsea's stance is that they want at least £40m for a player who has made 95 appearances in the first team, likely encouraged that they received £60m for Mason Mount 12 months ago when he was in the same contractual position.
That said, generating that amount feels unrealistic at this stage, and Atletico, who are said to have had a £17m rejected, may have more success if they put together an improved bid in due course.
Darren Plant
