Conor Gallagher's Chelsea Future in Limbo Amid Atletico Madrid Agreement and Tottenham Interest

Conor Gallagher's future at Chelsea hangs in the balance as the club has reached a £34 million agreement with Atletico Madrid. Despite this, the England midfielder is contemplating his options, including a potential new contract with the Blues and interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

What Happened?

Atletico Madrid has set a deadline for Conor Gallagher to decide on joining them after agreeing on a £34 million fee with Chelsea. The midfielder has been informed that under new manager Enzo Maresca, he will only be a squad player, given Maresca's preference for a possession-heavy playing style.

Sources from Sky Sports News reveal that Chelsea has made multiple contract offers to Gallagher. The first offer, made just before the Euros, came after Gallagher declined an opportunity to join Aston Villa. The latest offer, similar to the previous one, was presented shortly before Chelsea agreed to the deal with Atletico.

Despite turning down three contract extensions, Gallagher remains open to signing a long-term deal with Chelsea. However, if an agreement is not reached, he will explore other options. Chelsea is eager to resolve the situation, recognizing Gallagher's status as an academy graduate while wanting to avoid a repeat of losing players like Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers.

Atletico Madrid has given Gallagher until the end of the weekend to make a decision. Meanwhile, Gallagher is set to return to Cobham on Monday, with Chelsea's first-team squad continuing their pre-season tour in the US until Wednesday.

Gallagher's Performance and Interest from Tottenham

Gallagher's impressive performance last season, where he made 37 Premier League starts, scored five goals, and provided seven assists, has attracted interest from Tottenham. Despite Chelsea's preference to sell him abroad rather than to a Premier League rival, Spurs remain keen on acquiring the midfielder.

The salary offered by Chelsea is reportedly on par with the highest earners in their midfield and competitive with other offers Gallagher has received. Chelsea accepted a higher bid from Aston Villa this summer, but Gallagher opted to stay at Stamford Bridge.

As the weekend deadline approaches, Chelsea and Gallagher will need to make crucial decisions about his future, balancing his potential move to Atletico Madrid and the possibility of a long-term stay at Chelsea under Enzo Maresca's new management.