Earlier this summer, rumors began circulating about Atletico Madrid’s interest in Conor Gallagher, but it was difficult to take them seriously at first. With Chelsea reportedly seeking €50m or more for the midfielder, it seemed unlikely that the Spanish club could afford such a transfer.
However, the speculation has continued, and now it appears there are active discussions between the two clubs. Atletico reportedly made an initial bid of €20m, which was unsurprisingly rejected, but this has opened the lines of communication between the sides.
Atletico Madrid is looking to strengthen their midfield with a defensively-minded player, and Gallagher is one of the options under consideration. However, their primary target seems to be Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad. The situation has become more complicated, though, with Arsenal showing strong interest in Merino and making their own offers.
According to reports, Chelsea could see Atletico’s pursuit of Gallagher intensify if Arsenal completes a deal for Merino. The latest update suggests that Chelsea is now seeking a minimum of €40m for Gallagher, narrowing the gap with Atletico’s initial bid.
While the two clubs would still need to find common ground, the difference of €20m could be bridged with a few clauses and performance-based bonuses.
As for Gallagher, it’s well known that he would prefer to stay at Chelsea. However, if the club is determined to offload him, the prospect of a move to Spain to play under Diego Simeone and compete in the Champions League might eventually be too tempting for the young midfielder.
