Conor Gallagher (foto: Getty Images)
Chelsea’s Enzo Maresca discusses efforts to resolve Conor Gallagher’s contract uncertainty. The midfielder has rejected a new deal, and Atletico Madrid has bid £40 million for him.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca stated that the club is actively working with Conor Gallagher to resolve uncertainties surrounding his future. Gallagher, whose contract expires next summer, has rejected a new deal.
According to The Athletic, Gallagher declined Chelsea's second contract offer, which was intended to match the wages of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. Maresca, speaking before Chelsea’s pre-season match against Manchester City in Columbus, Ohio, said, “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.”
Chelsea aims to avoid a repeat of the 2022 situation where Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left as free agents. Gallagher’s situation is critical, with the club needing to protect its financial interests as his contract nears expiration. Gallagher, having recently returned from an extended break post-Euro 2024, may not be integrated into first-team training immediately.
Atletico Madrid has had a £40 million bid accepted for Gallagher. Maresca noted that while there is no update on Gallagher’s training status, “In football, every summer, different clubs have some problems with some players and then at the end, they find a solution and everyone is happy. Hopefully, the same can happen in this situation.”
Chelsea’s pre-season continues with a match against Real Madrid on Wednesday and concludes against Inter Milan on August 11. They kick off their Premier League campaign against Manchester City on August 18.