Conor Gallagher has agreed to leave Chelsea for Atletico Madrid in an apparently £33.7 million ($43m) deal after being convinced by manager Diego Simeone and fellow England international Kieran Trippier.
The 24-year-old midfielder is set to sign a five-year contract, potentially earning up to £200,000 ($255,397) a week with bonuses.
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How Diego Simeone and Kieran Trippier convinced Conor Gallagher?
Diego Simeone made a strong case for Gallagher to join his squad, emphasizing how well the midfielder would fit into his system. Gallagher also sought advice from Kieran Trippier during their time together on England duty at the Euros, which helped seal the decision.
Chelsea had received a higher bid from Aston Villa, but Gallagher turned it down. Despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur, no firm offer came through. Chelsea preferred to sell Gallagher to an overseas club to avoid facing him in the Premier League, given the risk of him outperforming their own midfielders.
Chelsea offered Gallagher a new two-year contract with an option for a third, but he declined. The club then warned him he might be left out of the first-team squad if he stayed without signing a new deal.
This led to intense negotiations over the weekend, culminating in Gallagher agreeing to join Atletico in the early hours of Monday morning.
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Gallagher, who played regularly under Mauricio Pochettino and even captained Chelsea for much of last season, found his role uncertain under new manager Enzo Maresca.
The new coach's possession-based style did not align with Gallagher's strengths, making him more of a squad player if he stayed at Stamford Bridge.
Gallagher will be the fifth academy graduate to leave Chelsea under the current ownership, following Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ian Maatsen, and Lewis Hall. Trevoh Chalobah and Armando Broja are also expected to depart. While Reece James and Levi Colwill have signed new long-term deals, Gallagher chose a new challenge in Spain.
As Gallagher prepares to fly to Madrid for his medical and contract signing, Chelsea fans reflect on the end of his 18-year journey with the club.
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