Transfer News

ATLETICO MADRID have announced the arrival of Conor Gallagher.The midfielder has finally completed a £34million switch from Chelsea after being frozen out at Stamford Bridge.Conor Gallagher has completed a £34million move to Atletico MadridCredit: Atletico MadridAnd the Spanish giants announced the capture with a cartoon drawing of an animal, captioning the post: “Beware of the pitbull.”Gallagher, 24, has already started training where he has been re-united with former Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta, who has helped translate instructions.Gallagher was subject to a bid from Atletico earlier this month amid interest from Aston Villa.He even flew to Madrid to finalise the transfer, only for it to collapse as Samu Omorodion turned down the proposed swap deal.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThat left Gallagher in limbo and the midfielder was forced to return to London while the clubs thrashed out a deal.Gallagher had met Atletico chiefs, players and even had a tour of the Metropolitano stadium before flying back.Chelsea rescued the deal by offering £40m to sign Joao Felix.Felix arrived in London on Tuesday and underwent a medical ahead of putting pen to paper on a six-year deal, with the option of a further year.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSGallagher was a key player for Chelsea last seasonGallagher’s open letter to fans“To everyone at Chelsea, thank you for making my dreams come true. It’s been an absolute honour every time I put on the shirt, and it was a dream come true to captain the team on many occasions.“I loved every moment. These memories will last forever. I appreciate all the love and support from the fans. Hearing the chant of my name at the Bridge is a special feeling, and the banner you displayed [against Spurs] meant the world to me.“Thank you for everything. I wish the club all the best for the future, and I hope to see you all soon at Stamford Bridge.”The Blues paid tribute to Gallagher and thanked him for his service following his departure after 18 years at the club.The club said in a statement: “We wish Conor the very best as he begins a new chapter in his career.”Gary Neville claims Raheem Sterling ‘may be punching back on behalf of Gallagher and Chalobah’ after Chelsea statementThe player himself released an open letter to Chelsea fans.Prior to his move Gallagher was placed in Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’ – a group of players frozen out as the club tried to find ways to move them on.The England star was banished from the first-team squad, meaning he was not allowed to train with manager Enzo Maresca or even enter the first-team building.Gallagher will be one of many more leaving Stamford Bridge in the next few days as the club desperately try to trim their squad.Where will they get changed? Jamie Carragher’s huge Chelsea rantPREMIER LEAGUE legend Jamie Carragher let rip at Chelsea’s transfer market activity, going on an epic rant about the west Londoners…He told Sky Sports: “Chelsea have just got to stop buying players and players have got to stop signing for Chelsea.”If I was a player and look at Chelsea, why would you sign?”The only reason you’d sign is because someone might say – your agent might say – ‘We’re getting a seven-year deal’.”You know what I’d say? ‘Back yourself as a player, sign a four-year deal at a proper club and back yourself to do well’.”And then when you’re due for renewal your money goes up anyway.”I don’t understand why you’d sign a seven-year deal. Back yourself.”He continued: “All players need competition. But every team I played in there were seven or eight players who knew they were playing every week.”Then you’ve got six or seven players who are fighting for three positions, and then you’ve got another six players who know they are squad players.”And of the Blues’ swollen array of talent, Carragher asked: “Where are they going to fit in the changing room?”How are you going to put on a training session.” More

CHELSEA are in a race to sell a host of stars before the transfer window closes later this month.The Blues still have a squad of 41 PLAYERS just 11 days out from Deadline Day on August 30.Chelsea are set to try and sell a host of players before the transfer window closesCredit: GettyInjury-prone left-back Ben Chilwell could be one player leaving Stamford BridgeCredit: GettyA number of big names failed to even make the bench for the 2-0 loss to Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.And fans will be concerned about the club’s financial situation as they have spent £160million in the summer and recouped just £86m.That comes after their £1billion spending spree across the previous four windows.They can also only name 25 senior players in their Premier League squad which will be announced by September.READ MORE ON CHELSEAIt means some high-profile names will almost certainly be heading out the door.Here are 11 players SunSport believes could make way to rake in more than £200m.Kepa Arrizabalaga – £10mKepa Arrizabalaga joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao for £72m in 2018.The Spaniard, who spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, remains the most expensive keeper of all time.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut he was not in Chelsea’s squad over the weekend and is at best third choice behind Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen.Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to be offloaded by the end of the monthCredit: GettyDjordje Petrovic – £17mThe arrival of Jorgensen appears to have pushed Djordje Petrovic further down the pecking order.He started 22 Premier League games in a row at the end of last season, assuming the position from Sanchez.But Sanchez started against Man City, while ex-Villarreal man Jorgensen is also expected to challenge for the No1 spot.Ben Chilwell – £24mBen Chilwell set Chelsea back a whopping £50m when he arrived from Leicester in 2020 but fitness issues have made him a liability.The Blues could be willing to move him on for around £24m if a deal can be struck in time.Fans claim Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has ‘had enough’ just one game in after spotting what he did when Man City scoredChilwell was widely criticised by a section of the fanbase last season and found himself out injured on a number of occasions.Trevoh Chalobah – £11mTrevoh Chalobah has been at Stamford Bridge for 17 years since he joined the club’s youth team at the age of eight.But he has been exiled from Maresca’s plans and looks destined for a move away before the window closes.Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are two clubs interested in the 25-year-old centre-back.Cesare Casadei – £9mCesare Casadei is involved in a transfer saga with Napoli as the Italian midfielder seeks a way out of Chelsea.He played 11 times for the Blues last season but remains a periphery figure in the squad and could now be set to join Antonio Conte in Serie A.However, his future may end up being decided by Victor Osimhen and Romelu Lukaku.Conor Gallagher – £43mConor Gallagher was forced to fly back from Spain when his transfer to Atletico Madrid fell through.The Blues’ bid for Samu Omorodion collapsed and scuppered Gallagher’s move, while Chelsea have now reportedly turned to Joao Felix.Gallagher will be hoping the deal can still get over the line after 12 months of rumours linking him with a transfer.Carney Chukwuemeka – £13mCarney Chukwuemeka joined Chelsea from Aston Villa for around £20m in 2022 but has not been given a consistent run in the team.He started just two league games last season and is now being linked with a move to Barcelona.However his £115,000-a-week wages could remain a stumbling block in getting a deal done.Raheem Sterling – £30mRaheem Sterling’s future was plunged into doubt on Sunday after he was left out of the squad against Man City.His team then issued a statement calling for clarification about his role at the club, two years after his £47.5m arrival.Bookies’ odds have West Ham and Fenerbahce as the front-runners to sign him if he was to leave Chelsea.Raheem Sterling’s future is in doubt after he was absent from their squad on SundayCredit: GettyDavid Datro Fofana – £10mDavid Datro Fofana’s 18 months at Chelsea have seen him feature just four times for the club.Loans at Union Berlin and Burnley have conjured up just six goals in 32 appearances.Now Chelsea could cut their losses on the £13m man and ensure he is off their wage bill.Armando Broja – £19mArmando Broja has scored two Premier League goals in 26 appearances for Chelsea.He was another player that failed to be selected on Sunday and could now be given his marching orders.Stuttgart and Wolves are among those interested in him, while AC Milan are also keen on the Albania international.Romelu Lukaku – £26mLukaku has not played for Chelsea for two years and was not in Maresca’s squad for the loss to Man City on Sunday.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe has had spells on loan at Inter Milan and Roma, but is now searching for a permanent move as he enters the final two years of his Chelsea contract.He is understood to be at the centre of a deal with Napoli that would see Osimhen move the other way – the same transfer merry-go-round Casadei is on.Romelu Lukaku has not played for Chelsea in two yearsCredit: Reuters More

RAHEEM STERLING’S Chelsea future is in doubt after he was axed from the squad against Manchester City.The winger was part of Enzo Maresca’s plans in pre-season and his representatives have stated he remains committed to the club despite being omitted from the matchday squad for Chelsea’s season opener.Raheem Sterling’s Chelsea future is in doubtCredit: GettyChelsea stars were welcomed by fans ahead of their season openerCredit: GettyNew signing Pedro Neto was selected ahead of Raheem SterlingCredit: GettyBut his future is now up in the air after he was axed, with Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and new signing Pedro Neto selected in the squad ahead of him.Sterling and his team are now seeking reassurances from the club with regard to his future and want clarity about his role in the squad.A statement: “Raheem Sterling is contracted to Chelsea Football Club for the next three years. He returned to England two weeks early to conduct individual training, and has had a positive pre-season under the new coach, who he has developed a good working relationship with. “He is committed, as ever, to delivering at the highest level for Chelsea FC and the fans, who he holds in high regard, and given his inclusion in official club pre-match material this week, our expectation was that Raheem would be involved in this weekend’s fixture in some capacity. “As a camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurance from, Chelsea FC in relation to Raheem’s future at the club, so we look forward to gaining clarity on the situation. “Until then, we will continue to support Raheem’s desire to start the new season positively.”Sterling, 29, is reportedly a transfer target for Juventus and if he leaves Chelsea could sign Joao Felix, who previously had a loan spell at Stamford Bridge in 2023.But Sterling could return to Chelsea’s matchday squad after featuring in pre-season for the Blues.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSterling dipped in form last seasonChelsea boss Enzo Maresca, who previously labelled Sterling an “important player”, revealed his axing was just a “technical decision”.He said: “It’s just a technical decision, nothing else to say.Harry Redknapp runs rule over new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca ahead of new Premier League season“Managers are paid to make decisions and sometimes players don’t like it.” More