Atletico Madrid are expected to complete the signing of Chelsea's Conor Gallagher after rescuing a deal by agreeing a fee with the Premier League club to send Joao Felix elsewhere, according to multiple reports.
England midfielder Gallagher flew to Madrid earlier this month and was photographed by the club at the Metropolitano Stadium, only for the move – said to be worth £36million – to go through because it was dependent on Chelsea agreeing with Atleti striker Samu Omorodion.
The funds Atleti are expected to receive from striker Felix will allow them to buy Gallagher, who has less than a year left on his Chelsea contract.
Joao Felix's first great Premier League goal! 👏 pic.twitter.com/nPWt1BcAHt
– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 11, 2023
Joao Felix statistics
The Portuguese player, Felix, who has eight goals in 41 games for the Selecao, spent last season on loan at Barcelona, scoring 10 goals in 44 games.
Chelsea signed him on loan for the second half of the 2022-23 season, earning a return of four goals in 16 league appearances.
Now 24, Felix became Atleti's record signing when he joined Diego Simeone's side for £113m from Benfica in 2019, scoring nine times and providing three assists in 36 appearances in his first season at the club.
Benfica player Joao Felix celebrated his goal this weekend with his brother Hugo, who was a footballer in the game 👏 pic.twitter.com/vMYRG44pSn
– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 16, 2019
Conor Gallagher figures
Gallagher started all 37 available Premier League games in 2023/24, captaining the Blues while scoring five goals and providing seven assists.
The 24-year-old has been at Chelsea since 2008, including loan spells with Charlton Athletic, Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace since becoming a member of the first team in 2019.
In his breakthrough season at Chelsea in 2022/23, Gallagher played in all but four of his matches in all competitions, helping his side reach the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.
Conor Gallagher visited Cívitas @Metropolitano Atlético de Madrid and Chelsea FC ultiman su traspaso. pic.twitter.com/yKDEl9v3LA
– Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) August 9, 2024
Conor Gallagher's career in England
The young England international made his Three Lions debut as a substitute in a 10-0 win over San Marino in November 2021.
Selection for the 2022 FIFA World Cup followed, with Gallagher not used as a substitute in all of England's six matches in Qatar.
Former manager Gareth Southgate gave Gallagher 18 caps, starting him in their Euro 2024 group stage final against Slovenia.
The move was part of Southgate's bid to find a defensive midfielder who could improve England's cohesion, but Gallagher was withdrawn at half-time in a 0-0 draw.
Gallagher also appeared as a substitute during England's quarter-final win over Slovakia and the semi-final win over the Netherlands.
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