Conor Gallagher has reportedly been provided with clarity and a decision deadline by Chelsea and Atletico Madrid.
The Blues midfielder has just enjoyed the best campaign of his career, contributing five goals and seven assists from 37 Premier League starts to help his boyhood team secure sixth place in the standings.
That is despite constant speculation regarding the 24-year-old's future with co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital not prepared to offer the third-choice captain a new deal.
As a result, the England international spent his time at Euro 2024 with uncertainty surrounding his future with no team prepared to meet Chelsea's alleged valuation of £40m at a time when fresh terms were perceived not to be on the table.
However, developments were reportedly taking place behind the scenes, with Aston Villa failing to convince Gallagher to move to the West Midlands and the player surprisingly rejecting a new contract.
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Atletico set Gallagher stance
Atletico Madrid have since expressed an interest in Gallagher and are said to have agreed a fee in the region of £33m with their Chelsea counterparts.
The player now has a decision to make regarding his future, with each of the West Londoners and Madrid giants setting out their stances.
As per sports broadcaster Ben Jacobs, who was commenting on X, Atletico have told Gallagher's representatives that they want an answer over their offer by Monday.
Gallagher is only just preparing to return from his summer break and may plausibly be taking as much time as possible to make a decision over the next phase of his career.
He is unlikely to make the switch to a team outside of England without assurances that he will be a first-choice pick in Diego Simeone's midfield.
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Gallagher told of Chelsea position
Gallagher's previous preference has been a long-term Chelsea stay, yet the change in head coach to Enzo Maresca has led to one of last season's star men facing the real possibility of minimal game time.
Jacobs adds that Gallagher has been told that he will only have the role of "a squad player", likely finding himself behind Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the pecking order.
That is allegedly the reason why the club's hierarchy were not prepared to offer anything longer than a two-year extension with an option of a further 12 months.
Maresca and club officials are each in favour of a possession-based strategy, with the perception being it would not suit the academy graduate's qualities.
Darren Plant
