Chelsea and England star close to joining La Liga giants

Chelsea will hope to pick up their first win of this summer’s pre-season when they face Mexican side Club America on Thursday morning. 

The Blues, now under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, were held to a 2-2 draw by Wrexham in their first friendly of the summer, before being beaten 4-1 by Scottish side Celtic last time out.

The club’s American owners have spent heavily since taking charge of the club two years ago, and this summer has been no different so far with no fewer than six new signings arriving at Stamford Bridge.

Now, though, it appears that one of the club’s academy graduates could be on his way to Spain.

Fabrizio Romano claims that La Liga giants Atletico Madrid are working to sign midfielder Conor Gallagher before the end of the current transfer window.

Gallagher looks increasingly likely to leave Chelsea this summer

The Italian journalist claims that the Premier League side are demanding a fee of around £40 million including add-ons for the England international, who made five appearances for the Three Lions at the Euros this summer.

Gallagher is one of a number of players to have progressed through Chelsea’s youth academy and into the first team in recent seasons, and he has also spent time on loan at both West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace.

The central midfielder has now played more than 90 times for his boyhood club across all competitions, but Romano suggests that the player is likely to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

He claims that the two clubs are in direct talks over a potential deal, which is now getting closer.

During his time in the senior setup at Stamford Bridge, Gallagher has scored ten goals and provided the same number of assists, and he also captained the Blues on several occasions last season.