Harry who?! Watkins makes England case as Kane watches on

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Why Man Utd & Liverpool both want Argentine teen Soler

Top 25 African players of the 21st century - ranked

Vini's nightmare goes on as Brazil drop more WCQ points

Mendes responds to Ronaldo criticism of Portugal players

Raphinha surprises wonderkid Yamal with £10k gold iPhone

Real Madrid midfielder announces shock retirement in emotional letter

Rodri admits he wouldn't have even chosen Vinicius Jr. as Ballon d'Or runner-up

‘Can't think long term’ – Ronaldo admits he may not reach 1,000 goals

Endrick set to be offered 'escape route' out of Real Madrid

'Please leave him alone!' - Deschamps sends out Mbappe plea

'Football's biggest waste' - Adriano admits he's 'drinking to oblivion'

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Simeone convinced Gallagher to join Atletico</li><li>Offered key role in set-up</li><li>Midfielder set to sign £200,000 weekly deal</li></ul>

Revealed: The key role Diego Simeone played in convincing Conor Gallagher to join Atletico Madrid as Chelsea man prepares to sign potential £200,000-per-week contract

Premier League

Leicester

Chelsea

LaLiga

Atletico Madrid

Deportivo Alaves

<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/chelsea-transfer-bombshell-conor-gallagher-travel-madrid-join-atletico-blues-fail-to-break-contract-deadlock/blte47749bfeb07e47a" target="_blank">Gallagher is set to join Atletico</a> for a rumoured fee of £34m ($43m), after contract talks between Chelsea and the central midfield player broke down ahead of the new season. Aside from the Blues' refusal to budge on contract terms, the key factor in deciding Gallagher's move to Spain was Atletico boss Simeone, according to <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/08/05/chelsea-transfer-news-conor-gallagher-agrees-atletico-move/" target="_blank">The Telegraph</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

During talks, Simeone told Gallagher that he views him as a key component of a new-look Atletico side, following the recent departures of a raft of experienced players including Alvaro Morata, Memphis Depay, Stefan Savic and Gabriel Paulista. The Chelsea academy graduate, who was an important figure in Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea dressing room last summer, is apparently viewed as the perfect fit for Simeone's system and style of play.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Gallagher is poised to sign a five-year deal that would keep him in Madrid until 2029, with the England international set to earn as much as £200,000 per week in Spain, including bonuses. This kind of money highlights how in-demand the 24-year-old was this summer, with Spurs and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/revealed-chelsea-conor-gallagher-asking-price-aston-villa-unai-emery-exchange-deal/blte431c164a74fc787" target="_blank">Aston Villa also pushing hard</a> to get his signature.

DID YOU KNOW?

We're still waiting for the transfer to be announced officially, but everything looks set in place for Gallagher to join Simeone in Madrid this August, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/todd-boehly-and-co-taking-heat-blues-academy-graduate-fan-favourite-conor-gallagher-sold-off-atletico-madrid/blt6d32bdb3968993d0" target="_blank">to the annoyance of many Blues fans</a>. Not only will the talented midfielder have a good chance of challenging for domestic trophies in 2024-25, he'll also compete in the Champions League, a competition Chelsea failed to qualify for last season.

WHAT NEXT FOR GALLAGHER?

Revealed: The key role Diego Simeone played in convincing Conor Gallagher to join Atletico Madrid as Chelsea man prepares to sign potential £200,000-per-week contract | Goal.com

Diego Simeone played a major role in convincing Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher to join Atletico Madrid, according to reports.