Chelsea eye Gallagher replacement as Atletico transfer takes TWIST

Suraj Radia

4 Aug 2024 21:00 BST
3 min read

Conor Gallagher, Chelsea, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Chelsea are already lining up their replacement for Conor Gallagher in the hopes that they can beat their Premier League rivals to another summer signing.

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Only Aston Villa have spent more money than Chelsea out of teams in the Premier League but the Blues are aiming to recoup some of their outlay with the sale of Gallagher.

Atletico Madrid are in talks with Gallagher over a €40 million transfer but the 25-year-old is reluctant to leave Chelsea despite entering the final 12 months of his contract.

The Spanish side have already agreed terms to sign an alternative to Gallagher in Valencia’s Javi Guerra in case the England international refuses the move, but Chelsea too have already looked towards life after their academy graduate.

According to The Sun, Chelsea have joined the race for Celtic star Matt O’Riley, who is wanted by Crystal Palace and Brighton along with Atalanta.

Southampton have already had an offer of €16.5m rejected by Celtic and it is believed Chelsea would need to offer more than €23m to sign the 23-year-old.

© IMAGO - Matt O'Riley is a key player for Celtic

O’Riley would need convincing to join Chelsea

O’Riley came through the academy of Chelsea’s local rivals Fulham but he made just one appearance for the Cottagers before moving to MK Dons in 2021.

Celtic signed O’Riley a year later for €1.8m and the midfielder has proven to be a revelation for the Scottish side, scoring 25 league goals including 18 last season.

O’Riley also made his international debut for Denmark while at Celtic, qualifiying for the Scandavian side due to his mother being from the country, although he was not selected to feature at Euro 2024 this summer.

With three years remaining on his contract, Celtic are not under pressure to sell O’Riley and manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted any interested teams would have to meet the club’s asking price.

Despite Chelsea’s interest, O’Riley would still need to be convinced of a move to Stamford Bridge, with a belief that he would only be open to leaving Celtic to be a first-team starter elsewhere – something which Enzo Maresca’s side cannot guarantee.