Conor Gallagher has returned to London after his proposed move from Chelsea to Atlético Madrid was put on hold, with the England midfielder expected to resume training with the club’s under-21 squad.
Atlético had agreed a £34m fee for Gallagher, who has spent the last week in the Spanish capital after completing his medical. But the collapse of Chelsea’s move for striker Samu Omorodion has left the deal in jeopardy, with Atlético needing to sell another player in order to finance their move for the 24-year-old Englishman.
Talks over the potential re-signing of João Félix are believed to be ongoing, with the Portugal forward having expressed an interest in returning to Stamford Bridge after spending six months there on loan in 2023. In the meantime, however, Gallagher – who had been staying in a hotel and using Atlético’s facilities to stay fit while he awaited the confirmation of his move – will join fellow outcasts Trevoh Chalobah and Romelu Lukaku in training with Chelsea’s youth side.
Gallagher has rejected a new contract offer from Chelsea and turned down a move to Aston Villa earlier in the summer. He must now wait to see if the deal with Atlético can be resurrected or whether any other clubs make a bid. Gallagher has previously indicated that he would consider seeing out his contract at Stamford Bridge, which expires next year.
There could be more departures in the coming weeks if Félix is signed, with the forwards Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke among those who are believed to be on the market. Newcastle have been linked with a move for England Under-21 forward Madueke, while Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are contenders to sign Chalobah after he was left out of Chelsea’s side that toured the United States earlier in the summer.
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea decide to push ahead with their interest in Victor Osimhen, who they could sign on loan from Napoli. The Italian club have agreed personal terms for a three-year deal with Lukaku but have yet to match Chelsea’s valuation for the Belgium striker.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have confirmed that Cole Palmer has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension following his brilliant first season. That commits him to the club until 2033 and is understood to include a significant pay rise in recognition of emergence as one of Chelsea’s key players.