Chelsea set imminent new deadline to seal Conor Gallagher and Joao Felix swap deal

A deal for Conor Gallagher has been agreed between the two clubs but the transfer was stalled earlier this week after an 11th-hour debacle concerning Atletico striker Samu Omorodion

Posted Saturday, August 17, 2024 by mirror.co.uk

Conor Gallagher still has no idea where he'll be playing next season

Atletico Madrid have reportedly issued Chelsea a strict deadline to complete their purchase of Joao Felix.

Diego Simeone's side are in need of a sale to finance their £33.7million acquisition of Conor Gallagher. The Spanish giants have spent £120million on Manchester City's Julian Alvarez, plus Euro 2024 winner Robin Le Normand and Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth.

Despite terms being agreed, the deal for Gallagher stalled this week after Atletico striker Samu Omorodion's £34.5million swap to west London collapsed at the 11th hour.

Gallagher - who was in a hotel room in Madrid as events unfolded - returned to Cobham and has been banished to train with the under-21s and reserves since.

The Spanish club are keen to get a move for Gallagher over the line so the 24-year-old can be unveiled with the other signings, a presentation scheduled for next Wednesday, August 21.

This is the date Atletico have given Chelsea as a loose deadline to finalise the deals for both Gallagher and Felix, according to AS. Chelsea's offer for Felix reportedly totals £55million, as per Portuguese outlet O Jogo, with £30million to be paid upfront.

Felix spent half of the 2022-23 season on loan with the Blues but failed to convince in his 20 appearances, a sending off in his first game against Fulham inadvertently setting the tone.

A deal has yet to be agreed, but the 24-year-old - who fell out with Simeone - is open to re-joining Chelsea.

Joao Felix is keen on returning to Chelsea

Another summer buying spree means Chelsea too are in need of sales to help balance the books, having stumped out around £160million on 10 signings thus far.

Gallagher, who has been with Chelsea since the age of eight, has reportedly been assured by Simeone that the club still want to sign him, according to The Telegraph.

However, Relovo reported that the club have opened talks with former Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante, who plies his trade with Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, in case the Gallagher deal is thwarted.