Contract Crisis: Why Conor Gallagher is leaving Chelsea

According to reports, it is all but set for Chelsea midfielder, Conor Gallagher to depart Stamford Bridge this summer for Spain.

However, reports have revealed the real reason behind the England international departing West London despite having the opportunity to stay beyond the current season.

In a report by the Athletic, Conor Gallagher had turned down a lucrative two-year contract extension that would have aligned his wages with those of club stars Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez which forced Chelsea’s hand in seeing through his transfer from West London.

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This according to the sports publication is due to Chelsea playing a cautious move based on lessons learnt from the free exits of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen in 2022.

As Gallagher prepares to fly to Spain for his €42 million (£36m) transfer to Atletico Madrid, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca addressed the media ahead of the club’s pre-season clash with Manchester City in Columbus, Ohio.

“The only thing I can say is I know he is in contact with the club to find a solution. The club offered him a new contract. But this is, at the moment, the only news I received,” Maresca stated.

Chelsea are determined to secure Gallagher’s future to prevent him from walking away for free next summer. However, with the player seemingly set on a move to the Spanish capital, the Blues face a race against time to finalize his transfer and prevent a repeat of their past contract mismanagement.

Chelsea gear up for their 2024-25 Premier League opener at home against champions Manchester City on August 18, with all eyes set on the Blues campaign and how they resolve the Gallagher saga and bolster their squad for the upcoming season.