Conor Gallagher’s future has been updated by Enzo Maresca in light of rumors that the Chelsea player has been “banished” from training.
Following the club’s agreement to transfer Gallagher to Atletico Madrid for £34 million, his time at Chelsea looks to be almost over.
The La Liga powerhouses are free to discuss personal terms with the England international, but he has so far showed a reluctance to leave his childhood club.
However, on Friday, rumors surfaced that the 24-year-old, who excelled under Mauricio Pochettino the previous season, was being forced out by the Blues.
Gallagher was told he is unlikely to play a prominent role under new manager Maresca, owing largely to the Italian’s possession-based tactics.
But The Sun have since claimed that Chelsea’s hierarchy have ‘banished’ the midfielder from the first-team training after he rejected two contract offers from the club.
If he chooses not to stay in west London, the Blues want to sell Gallagher now rather than lose him on a free next summer when his current deal expires.
Speaking from Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the USA, Maresca refused to confirm or deny that Gallagher had indeed been barred but was confident a solution will be found very soon.
‘At the moment, there is not any update on that,’ the manager said.
‘The only thing I can say is that he was in contact with the club to find a solution. I don’t think it’s something new.
‘In football, every summer, different clubs have some problems with some players, and then at the end, they find a solution and everyone is happy. Hopefully the same can happen in this situation.’
It is said Atletico have told Gallagher he must make a decision on whether to sign for them or not by the end of the weekend.