Chelsea are reportedly about to sell yet another individual who’s followed the path of academy prospect to first-team star with them.
It’s been widely reported in the media that Blues midfielder Conor Gallagher, 24, is about to join Atletico Madrid in this summer transfer window.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano via CaughtOffside, Tottenham wanted to sign Gallagher on a free transfer next summer. However, Spanish giants Atletico are swooping in and buying the England international now.
It’s been claimed by The Telegraph that Atletico agreed a £33.7m deal with Chelsea for the central midfielder, who’s set to earn as much as £200,000-a-week once bonuses are taken into consideration
Romano has claimed via X on Friday morning that Gallagher will sign a five-year deal with the La Liga club later today.
- READ MORE: What Diego Simeone told Conor Gallagher to convince him to leave Chelsea for Atletico Madrid
Gary Lineker verdict on Conor Gallagher move
Gary Lineker has reacted to the Gallagher transfer saga by suggesting that an imminent switch to Atletico will be great for him. In particular, he expects the Englishman to improve the technique while playing in Madrid.
“Gallagher, I think that’s good for him. I think he’ll learn a lot over there. It did the world for Kieran Trippier at that particular club,” Lineker said on The Rest Is Football podcast.
“I think Conor Gallagher is one of those honest game players. Great presser.
“Over there he might well improve his technique as well.”
How will Conor Gallagher cope in Spain?
Gallagher, whose transfer just needs the official announcement, is the latest English player to make the switch to La Liga. Hopefully, he can take inspiration from what international teammate Jude Bellingham did across the city at Real Madrid last season.
On paper, Gallagher ticks so many boxes with his attributes when you compare it to Diego Simeone’s Atletico side.
Chelsea fans know that the 24-year-old is an incredible professional with a phenomenal engine on the pitch, so expect him to win over the Atletico fanbase quickly with his work rate.
One potential area of concern is the technical level in the Spanish top division. While Gallagher’s greatest strength is his physical attributes, he could still improve some areas of his game on the ball. Lineker makes a decent prediction that he’ll get better in that department over in Spain.
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