Conor Gallagher is expected to return to training at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground on Wednesday, after landing back in London with his Atletico Madrid transfer in the balance.
The England international, 24, was pictured in the La Liga club’s Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday and spent five days in a hotel in Madrid but has been unable to complete his £33m move.
It was halted because Chelsea’s £34.5m deal to sign Spanish striker, Samu Omorodion, collapsed over personal terms on Sunday.
The Spanish club need to make a major sale to fund their move for Gallagher after signing Manchester City striker, Julian Alvarez, for £81.5m on Monday.
The Gallagher deal is not considered to be off at the moment but remains under threat of collapse.
If Chelsea sign Portugal forward, Joao Felix, from Atletico it could salvage Gallagher’s move but a fee must first be agreed.
Felix is ready to return to Chelsea after spending six months on loan at the club in 2023.
However, if a fee cannot be agreed for Felix then Gallagher’s transfer will likely collapse.
Chelsea want to sell Gallagher to avoid losing him on a free transfer, with just 11 months left on his contract.
Gallagher, who captained Chelsea for much of last season, made five appearances at Euro 2024 as England reached the final.
On Saturday, Atletico had posted a picture of Gallagher at their stadium saying he was there to “finalise his transfer”.
This Gallagher situation is unusual and bordering on the unprecedented. –BBC