Path cleared for Conor Gallagher? Proposed Atletico Madrid transfer falls through as Chelsea midfielder closes in on move

Atleti were reportedly eyeing a move for Javi Guerra this summer but The Athletic reports that Valencia appear to have put a stop to that deal. They had set a deadline for the transfer to be finalised by Wednesday and Atletico have failed to meet their demands by then.

Atletico were reportedly unlikely to sign both Guerra and Chelsea midfielder Gallagher in the same window and the collapse of the move for the former may force Diego Simeone's side to push harder to land the England international instead.

Gallagher is said to have turned down an offer to extend his contract at Stamford Bridge as he hoped for a longer deal and bigger role, while it has been reported that the Blues have banished him from the first-team in an effort to encourage him to leave. Gallagher has already travelled to the Spanish capital to wrap up a transfer after Chelsea accepted an offer worth £33 million ($42m) for him.

After 16 years with the Stamford Bridge side, the 24-year-old looks set to embark on a new adventure having already come to an agreement with Madrid over a contract.