Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher is reportedly close to making a move to Atletico Madrid for just £33 million despite Chelsea’s original asking price of £50 million.
The midfielder has been the subject of much transfer talk this summer as it has been suggested that the club wants to move him on to accommodate multiple new signings.
According to Spanish media outlet AS the Blues are prepared to accept a £33 million bid from Atletico Madrid for Gallagher even though they had previously been bullish on the £50 million price tag.
Gallagher is a London boy and has always been a Chelsea fan so it feels unlikely that he will move. However, if the ownership and management are keen on balancing the books, the 24-year-old may have no choice.
Chelsea decided to drop the price for Atletico since they don’t want Gallagher moving to a Premier League rival amid previous interest from Spurs, Aston Villa, and West Ham.
Chelsea fan reaction
The immediate reaction has not gone down well with the Stamford Bridge faithful. Radio pundit and lifelong Chelsea fan Rory Jennings spoke to TalkSport. He said: “This is a disgrace and it’s an outrage.
“Yes, he does split the fanbase to a degree, but certainly for match-going fans, Conor Gallagher would have felt nothing but love at Stamford Bridge.
“His banner comes out all the time, he was a captain of the club, there is only love for him there.
“There is a debate as to how good a footballer he is. I think he’s a very good player. I think there is always room for a Conor Gallagher in our team.”
How likely is Gallagher to accept Atletico Madrid’s offer?
It seems clear that Gallagher’s preferred choice would be to remain at Chelsea despite the treatment of him by the higher-ups in the club.
However, if Chelsea tells him that he has to leave, then where would he pick? Due to his rapport with the Chelsea fans, it is unlikely that Gallagher would pick to go to a rival team, so that leaves Atletico Madrid.
Nothing has yet been reported on whether Gallagher will be happy to move to the Spanish capital, but one thing is for sure, a move is on the cards.
