Atletico Madrid preparing fresh offer for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher with €40m asking price | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid are looking to bring in a midfielder this summer, and they hope to sign a Euro 2024 finalist. The two options they like most are Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino and Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.

Merino has asked for time to take a decision on his future, amid interest from Arsenal and Barcelona, and Diario AS say that signing Merino looks ‘difficult’ for Los Rojiblancos. They are keen to get their business done now, and hence Gallagher, who is the player most liked by the recruitment department, is now best-placed at Atletico.

However Chelsea are still demanding €40m for Gallagher, who is out of contract next summer – if he is not sold, they will try to renew his deal. Atletico will seek to up their initial €20m bid for Gallagher, although the new amount is not given.

Gallagher was a regular for Chelsea last season, scoring 7 goals and giving 9 assists in his 50 appearances last year, but appears not to be a priority for the Blues. He has youth over Merino, but equally less experience in Europe and in different leagues. Previous reports state that the Real Sociedad midfielder is Diego Simeone’s preference.