Atletico Madrid close to signing Conor Gallagher as Chelsea accept bid

Atletico Madrid are on the verge of securing a move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, with the London club having accepted their bid.

The bid, reported to be around £33 million, has been accepted by Chelsea, allowing Gallagher to negotiate personal terms with the Spanish side.

Gallagher, 24, had previously rejected a new contract offer from Chelsea in June, and with less than a year remaining on his current deal, the club has opted to sell him rather than risk losing him on a free transfer next summer.

The decision to accept Atletico’s offer comes after Chelsea had discussed a higher bid of £45 million with Aston Villa earlier this summer.

Chelsea’s preference for selling Gallagher to a club outside of English football is reflected in their acceptance of the lower bid.

Despite interest from Tottenham, West Ham, and Everton, Gallagher’s potential move to Atletico remains uncertain as he considers his options.

• Atletico Madrid closing in on Conor Gallagher transfer

Under former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, Gallagher was a key player last season, helping the team secure a sixth-place finish in the Premier League. His performances also earned him a spot in the England squad, where he contributed to their runner-up finish in Euro 2024.

Meanwhile, Chelsea secured their first win of their US pre-season tour with a 3-0 victory over Club America of Mexico on Wednesday night. The Blues will kick off their Premier League campaign against champions Manchester City.