Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca breaks his silence on Conor Gallagher’s future following reports that the midfielder will not be able to train with the first team.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has commented on Conor Gallagher‘s situation following claims that the midfielder has been banished from training.
Having entered the final 12 months of his contract, Gallagher’s future has developed into one of the key storylines of the summer transfer window.
Spanish side Atletico Madrid are leading the race to secure his signature after reaching an agreement with Chelsea over a £33m deal.
While they are open to a departure, the Blues have held talks with their academy graduate over signing a new contract.
However, Gallagher has allegedly turned down a two-year deal with an option of a further 12 months, with the 24-year-old looking for a long-term contract.
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Maresca addresses Gallagher situation
Chelsea are unwilling to offer a long-term deal because they view Gallagher as a squad player, and he may himself behind Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Kieran Dewsbury-Hall in the pecking order.
It was reported on Friday that the England international has been banished from the first-team setup ahead of his return to training on Monday.
Maresca has broken his silence on Gallagher’s uncertain future, telling reports that the club are trying to “find a solution” to the current situation.
“The only thing I can say is I know he is in contact with the club to find a solution,” Maresca said ahead of Saturday’s friendly with Manchester City in Columbus.
“The club offered him a new contract. But this is, at the moment, the only news I received.”
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What next for Gallagher?
Chelsea are seemingly open to keeping Gallagher as he long as he accepts a squad role and agrees a new contract with the club.
The Blues do not want to run the risk of losing the midfielder on a free transfer next year which is why they have discussed a transfer with the player’s potential suitors.
Atletico have supposedly told Gallagher that they need to know by Monday whether he wants to complete a move to the Spanish capital.
The Chelsea man has already turned down one opportunity to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after it was reported that he rejected the chance to join Aston Villa on a three-year deal.
Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with a potential move, but it remains to be seen whether Gallagher would be open to joining on of Chelsea’s biggest rivals.