**Conor Gallagher Set to Join Atletico Madrid in £33.7m Deal**

Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher is expected to fly to Madrid on Monday to finalize a five-year contract with Atletico Madrid, following a breakthrough in talks.

The LaLiga giants had agreed to a £33.7million deal with Chelsea last week and were pressing for an answer by today. Gallagher, who has been with Chelsea for 16 years, will travel with his representative Paul Nicholls to Madrid to finalize terms.

The 24-year-old England international had been open to staying at Chelsea, where he was captain last season under Mauricio Pochettino. However, he wanted a longer-term deal similar to those offered to his teammates. Matters came to a head on Friday when he was informed that he would not be part of the first-team dressing room and would likely be reduced to a bit-part role under new boss Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea had offered Gallagher a two-year contract with an option of another year on two occasions, but he was holding out for a longer deal. Tottenham had also been in touch, but did not press ahead with a rival bid.

Gallagher was informed that he would have a reduced role under Maresca, which led to him considering a move away from Stamford Bridge. Atletico fought off competition from several clubs, including Tottenham, to secure the midfielder’s signature.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have reportedly earmarked Celtic’s Matt O’Riley as a potential replacement in midfield. O’Riley netted 18 goals in 37 appearances for Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic as they triumphed in the Scottish Premiership last season.

Born in London, O’Riley represented England at multiple youth levels before switching international allegiances to Denmark and making his senior debut last year.