Chelsea have informed Conor Gallagher that he will not train with the first-team squad when they return from their tour of the United States on Monday.
Gallagher, who began with Chelsea at the age of eight, was a key player for the club under Mauricio Pochettino last season, starting 37 Premier League matches as captain.
He secured a spot in Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man squad for Euro 2024 and played in four matches for England, including their thrilling semi-final victory against the Netherlands.
As the new Premier League season approaches, Gallagher’s future at Stamford Bridge is uncertain. The 24-year-old midfielder has rejected two contract offers from Chelsea, including a two-year extension, due to concerns about the length of the deals. Essentially, Gallagher seeks a contract that matches his current standing, unlike Mykhailo Mudryk, Enzo Fernandez, and Moises Caicedo, who are all committed to eight-year contracts.
Several clubs have shown interest in the player this summer, including Aston Villa, who are set to compete in the Champions League.
SPORTbible reports that Aston Villa showed interest in the player back in June and a record deal with Chelsea was agreed, but Gallagher declined the move.
Chelsea have also accepted an offer from Atletico Madrid in La Liga for approximately £33 million. However, Gallagher is currently considering his options.
It’s worth noting that the 25-year-old is willing to remain at Chelsea if offered a long-term contract.
Chelsea has concerns because they don’t anticipate Gallagher being a regular starter under Enzo Maresca, especially after Maresca recently brought Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall into the squad on a six-year contract.
Chelsea seems determined to sell Gallagher if they can’t reach an agreement, as they want to avoid losing him on a free transfer in 2025.
Earlier this week, Chelsea head coach Maresca acknowledged that Gallagher might leave Stamford Bridge, stating that “anything could happen” this summer.
“At the moment, Conor will be back with us at Cobham,” Maresca said. “He will be at Cobham in the coming days. With the transfer window open, anything is possible, not just for Conor but for all the players.”
In June, Gallagher discussed the possibility of working with the new manager, saying, “We want to restore Chelsea to its rightful place. With the new manager, I hope we can start making progress and reach where we belong.”
