Atletico Madrid have lined up a move for Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra in case Conor Gallagher does not accept a move to Spain.
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Atletico had Gallagher offer accepted Chelsea midfielder yet to decide on futureSpanish club have now sorted backup signingWHAT HAPPENED?
Atletico have been waiting for days to hear whether Gallagher is going to join them after having a £34million ($44m) bid accepted for the 24-year-old. But with a deal not certain, the Liga outfit have agreed terms to sign Guerra from Valencia, according to Fabrizio Romano.
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The fact that Atletico Madrid have gone out of their way to line another midfielder up suggests that Gallagher may reject a move to Spain. The England international and Chelsea academy graduate has already turned down multiple contract offers at the club and has since been banished from the first team.
DID YOU KNOW?
Gallagher is a boyhood Chelsea fan and had the honour of captaining the west London club on 24 occasions last season while Reece James sat out with an injury. Now it seems likely the versatile midfielder has turned out at Stamford Bridge for the last time.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR GALLAGHER AND ATLETI?
A decision is expected to emerge from Gallagher sooner rather than later but with Chelsea refusing to integrate the Epsom-born midfielder, his options are now severely limited. Tottenham have shown an interest in the 18-cap international and could move for him should Atletico Madrid decide to push on with Guerra instead.