Chelsea transfer saga takes latest twist as Romelu Lukaku to get new training partner

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Chelsea are having to wait longer than they expected to find out if they’ll be able to sell Conor Gallagher.

Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has returned to Chelsea’s Cobham training center, where he is set to continue training with the under-21 side, which includes the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Kepa Arrizabalaga as they await moves away from the club.

Chelsea were forced to recall Gallagher, who had been in Spain for five days awaiting the confirmation of his deal to Atletico Madrid after agreeing to terms with the Spanish club. He will now continue training with the under-21 teams, with Chelsea still keen on completing the deal before the transfer window shuts later this month.

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Chelsea were hoping to sell Gallagher and sign Atletico Madrid striker Samu Omorodion. They turned to forward Joao Felix when that move fell through, but Atletico demanded £15 million in cash as part of the exchange. Chelsea viewed all three deals as entirely separate, but Atletico Madrid took the opposite view, and now all deals are off.

Sources have said Gallagher is frustrated, but he has remained calm, given that he has the security of just a year left on his current contract and will be able to speak to clubs abroad by January.

The challenge for Chelsea now is to either complete the deal or find a way to renew Gallagher’s contract before it expires, as losing him would mean forfeiting what is considered pure profit since he is an Academy product.

Romelu Lukaku is also at Chelsea, training with the under-21s as he awaits a move to Napoli, with Chelsea still eyeing Victor Osimhen in a separate deal. Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is also training with the under-21s, is looking to move to Madrid but must wait to see if Andriy Lunin stays or leaves before securing his move.

This has been another busy transfer window for Chelsea, who just confirmed a two-year contract extension for Cole Palmer.

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