Chelsea line up shock Conor Gallagher replacement

Chelsea are interested in Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley as a potential replacement for Conor Gallagher, according to a report.

It emerged on Friday that the Blues had warned Gallagher he faces a training ground 'exile' if he does not agree to a move to Atletico Madrid or another summer bidder, having turned down two contract offers from the west London club.

Chelsea are interested in signing a new midfielder if Gallagher does depart and Celtic's O'Riley is one of their main targets, according to Sky Sports.

The 23-year-old scored 18 goals to power Brendan Rodgers' side to another Scottish Premiership title and has also been linked with Europa League winners Atalanta. There's also admiration from Southampton, who have already had a £14m bid for the Denmark international rejected, as reported by The Scottish Sun.

Chelsea have agreed a £33.8m deal with Atletico for Gallagher, but work still needs to be done on the player's side to make the transfer official.

Manager Enzo Maresca has also claimed there is "no news" about Gallagher's reported banishment or his proposed move to Atletico.

He said: "The only thing I can say is I know he is in contact with the club to find a solution. The club offered him a new contract. But this is, at the moment, the only news I received.

"Also because they know that when we are in competition or working, I like to be focused on what we have here. That is, in this moment, this game and then the Real Madrid game. For me as a manager, it is the most important thing. Just to focus on the most important thing that is the pitch."

The England international has reportedly been told he will be a little more than a squad player under Maresca, who is implementing a new possession-based style of play and will likely try to get the best out of £200m midfield duo Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.

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