Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has returned to England as his proposed transfer to Atletico Madrid remains in limbo, sources have told ESPN.
The 24-year-old has agreed personal terms on a £34 million ($43.7 million) deal and travelled to the Spanish capital several days ago in the expectation of completing his transfer, only for a last-minute issue to complicate matters.
Gallagher passed his medical at Atletico but was subsequently told the move was on hold as the transfer the LaLiga club needed to make to fund his transfer had collapsed.
In separate talks, Chelsea were expected to sign Atletico striker Samu Omorodion, but negotiations have since broken down.
Talks have instead focused on whether a deal can be reached between the two clubs for João Félix, who spent six months on loan at Stamford Bridge in 2023.
Gallagher had been using Atletico's facilities to maintain his fitness while awaiting confirmation of his move, but has now returned to London with no deal imminent after a move for Omorodion failed to materialise.
It is possible that a deal for Omorodion could be revived or Chelsea could strike a deal for Felix, but Gallagher's future is uncertain until either scenario is clarified.
Sources have told ESPN that Gallagher is likely to train away from Chelsea's first team at Cobham while the situation is resolved.
The England international has rejected Chelsea's offer of a new contract – his current deal has less than 12 months left – and has also previously turned down a move to Aston Villa.
