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Conor Gallagher turns down last-ditch Chelsea contract offer

Conor Gallagher has turned down a late contract extension offer from Chelsea, according to The Athletic.

Chelsea offered Gallagher a new two-year deal with an option for an additional year and a substantial pay rise that would have positioned him among the top earners at the club, but he rejected it.

This was their second attempt to keep Gallagher, following a previous offer made in June that was also declined.

The 24-year-old’s contract expires next summer and has emerged as a crucial target for Atletico Madrid. Los Colchoneros want to sign him as a replacement for Saul Niguez.

The La Liga club is reportedly nearing an agreement with Chelsea over the transfer fee, although they have not finalised personal terms with Gallagher.

Chelsea want to avoid a repeat of the 2022 situation where Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left as free agents. They are determined to recoup a significant sum for the midfielder.

Aston Villa also showed strong interest in Gallagher last month, but their pursuit did not advance. Tottenham Hotspur were in the mix, with manager Ange Postecoglou a massive fan of the Chelsea box-to-box midfielder, but nothing materialised.

Chelsea had hoped to command a fee of around £50 million ($64.29 million) for the homegrown talent, who made the most appearances for the club in the 2023/24 season, notching seven goals and nine assists.

The West Londoners are already prepared for Gallagher’s exit, having signed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City for around £35 million earlier in the window.

The 25-year-old is a hardworking playmaker who excelled under manager Enzo Maresca in the Championship last season as they secured a place in the top flight.

Dewsbury-Hall recorded 12 goals and 14 assists in 44 appearances to help the Foxes gain promotion. He will look to play a crucial role as Chelsea eye a return to the Champions League.

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