Fabrizio Romano confirms Aston Villa and Tottenham target in ‘direct talks’ over £33.7m transfer

Atletico Madrid have opened talks to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, according to a new and reputable report.

The England international has been heavily linked with Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur this summer but Atletico appear to have moved ahead in the race.

Transfer news specialist Fabrizio Romano reports negotiations are underway between Chelsea and Atletico for a package worth around €40 million (£33.7 million) including add-ons. Gallagher is at the top of Atletico’s shortlist and the deal is said to be “getting closer” as the hours go on.

Villa and Tottenham have been patient with their respective pursuits of Gallagher, first waiting for the player to return from his duties at UEFA EURO 2024. Since then, interest seemed to have cooled due to Chelsea’s extortionate £50 million asking price, but the recent figures quoted for Atletico are far more reasonable.

Unai Emery and Ange Postecoglou must now decide if they want to attempt a hijack, either matching or exceeding Atletico’s offer. It appears to be a race against time, so the trigger would need to be pulled sharpishly.

Gallagher only has 12 months left on his current deal and has been considered ‘for sale’ as Chelsea look to gain funds. Any money earned from a move away would be pure profit as far as the Premier League’s regulations are concerned as Gallagher is an academy graduate.

The 24-year-old, formerly a loanee at Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City, played 92 per cent of the minutes available to him in the Premier League last season. Five goals and seven assists only scratched the surface as Gallagher impressed in an array of midfield roles.