Newcastle United considering hijacking Chelsea deal in transfer saga

New reports suggest that Newcastle United are attempting to disrupt Chelsea's negotiations to sell Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid, potentially orchestrating a hijack of the deal.

Gallagher was left stranded in a Madrid hotel for five days waiting to complete his £33m transfer to the La Liga side before the move hit a dramatic stumbling block.

That’s because Chelsea’s plan to sign Atletico striker Samu Omorodion collapsed over personal terms on Sunday, which has directly impacted the Gallagher deal.

While Gallagher, 24, returned to Chelsea’s Cobham training ground on Wednesday, a potential switch to Atletico is not yet dead in the water.

Gallagher has already undergone his Atletico medical and has even posed for official pictures inside their stadium with their club media.

Since returning to Chelsea, Atletico boss Diego Simeone has reportedly reached out to Gallagher, reassuring the midfielder that he very much wants him in Spain.

Newcastle, though, are looking to take advantage of the situation and swoop in at the last minute to beat Atletico to Gallagher’s signature, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.

It is thought that the Magpies ‘want to steal’ the England international, are keeping a close eye on his talks with Atletico and are considering their own bid.

Chelsea are open to sale given that Gallagher is out of contract in the summer of 2025 and they do not want to lose their academy graduate on a free transfer.

Eddie Howe’s side, meanwhile, are seeking a central midfielder to bolster their squad in the summer transfer window.

A Premier League Supercomputer has predicted who’ll win the 2024-25 title as well as the full order for the top four and which sides will be relegated this term.

It does not think Chelsea or Newcastle will finish in the top four, with the Supercomputer tipping those two sides to end up fifth and seventh.

That seems particularly harsh on Newcastle – who have no European fixtures to worry about this season – after the Europa Conference League spot went to Chelsea.