Chelsea 'in direct talks' to sell Conor Gallagher to La Liga giants

Atletico Madrid and Chelsea are discussing a deal for midfielder Conor Gallagher, according to reports.

Gallagher has less than a year left to run on his contract at Stamford Bridge and has been heavily tipped to leave his boyhood club this summer, despite his desire to remain in west London.

In recent months, La Liga heavyweights Atletico have been touted as a potential landing spot for Gallagher, and they have now firmed up their interest.

Fabrizio Romano claims the Spanish side are now in negotiations with Chelsea over the 24-year-old, who is their top midfield target. The Blues are said to be demanding an initial fee of €35m to €40m (£29.5m to £33.7m) plus more in add-ons.

90min reported last week that Atletico had also considered Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino as a cheaper midfield option, with Arsenal also looking at the Euro 2024 winner.

Gallagher made more appearances than any other Chelsea player during the 2023/24 season. Mauricio Pochettino, the Blues' head coach until May before leaving by mutual consent, continually stressed the midfielder's importance to the team.

However, Chelsea have several other midfield options on longer-term contracts at their disposal. Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Cesare Casadei, Carney Chukwuemeka and Lesley Ugochukwu are all still on their books, while they signed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City earlier this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur also have a long-standing interest in Gallagher, though they have already brought in a new midfielder during the summer window, signing Archie Gray from Leeds United for £40m.

Aston Villa too were linked with Gallagher and have done business with Chelsea in the last few months. Ian Maatsen went to Villa Park in a £37.5m deal, while Omari Kellyman moved the other way for £19m.