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Topics: Conor Gallagher, Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers, Aston Villa
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Conor Gallagher, Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Transfers, Aston Villa
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 joined Chelsea at the age of eight, was one of the club's standout performers under Mauricio Pochettino last season, starting 37 Premier League games as captain.
He earned his place in Gareth Southgate's final 26-man squad for Euro 2024 and featured in four games for England, including their dramatic semi-final win over the Netherlands.
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But ahead of the new Premier League campaign, Gallagher's future at Stamford Bridge has been plunged into doubt.
The midfielder, 24, has turned down two contract offers from Chelsea, including a two-year extension, as he takes issue with the length of the deals.
In short, he wants a contract that reflects his current status. Mykhailo Mudryk, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, for example, are all tied down to eight-year contracts.
A number of clubs have expressed an interest in the player this summer, including Champions League-bound Aston Villa.
In fact, SPORTbible understands Villa expressed their interest in June and a club-record deal with Chelsea was agreed, but Gallagher turned down the move.
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Chelsea have also accepted an offer from La Liga side Atletico Madrid, worth around £33 million, although it seems the ball is very much in Gallagher's court as he assesses his options.
It must be noted that the 25-year-old is open to staying at Chelsea should he be offered a longer term deal.
But there are concerns from Chelsea as they don't expect him to be a regular starter under Enzo Maresca, who recently added Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to his squad on a six-year deal.
Chelsea, meanwhile, appear intent on cashing in on Gallagher if they can't agree terms, as they don't want to lose him on a free transfer in 2025.
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Earlier this week, Chelsea head coach Maresca admitted that Gallagher could leave Stamford Bridge, conceding that "anything could happen" this summer.
"At the moment, Conor will be back with us at Cobham," Maresca said. "He will be in Cobham in the next days. If the transfer window is open, anything can happen. Not only for Conor but for all of the players."
Back in June, Gallagher opened up on the prospect of working under their new manager.
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"We want to get Chelsea back to where they belong. So hopefully with the new manager we can start to progress and get to where we belong," he said.