CON AIR
Conor Gallagher beams as he lands in Spain ahead of Atletico Madrid transfer and prepares to end Chelsea nightmare
Gallagher looks set to become the second England international ever to play for Atletico - can you remember the other?
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CONOR GALLAGHER looked thrilled to land in Spain ahead of his move to Atletico Madrid.
The England midfielder has been sent back and forth on a private jet after agreeing personal terms with the LaLiga club weeks ago.
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Gallagher was waiting in Madrid for his move to be finalised before returning to the UK as the deal was initially called off.
The 24-year-old had met Atletico chiefs, players and even had a tour of the Metropolitano stadium before being shipped back to West London.
But the deal fell into limbo when Chelsea ended their pursuit of Atletico forward Samu Omorodion, after he failed his medical.
With Diego Simeone's side needing to raise funds in order to complete the deal, Gallagher was sent to train with the Chelsea 'bomb squad'.
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But now his Atletico deal is back on after Chelsea signed their winger Joao Felix for an undisclosed fee on Monday.
Gallagher was ordered to return to Madrid on Tuesday evening to finally complete a move away from his boyhood club.
He was filmed signing autographs and taking pictures with airport staff upon his arrival at the airport.
The England international is set to sign a five-year deal worth £35.8m at the Stadio Metropolitano, including an undisclosed sell-on fee.
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With an agreement already in place the move is expected to be officially unveiled in the coming days.
Chelsea finalised terms to make Portuguese forward Felix their ninth senior signing of the summer on Monday.
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In doing so, funds were freed up for Gallagher to head the other way.
Gallagher will become the second England international ever to play for Atletico, following his Three Lions team-mate Kieran Trippier.
He has made 95 appearances in all competitions for the Blues after joining the club at the age of eight.
With Reece James ruled out through injury, the midfielder regularly deputised as captain last term as they recovered from a dismal start under Mauricio Pochettino to secure European football.
Under new boss Enzo Maresca however, Gallagher's long-term future at the club appeared much less certain.
His Chelsea deal is set to expire in June 2025 and he turned down two contract extensions, opening up the move to Atletico.
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