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A transfer is only complete when it is executed, even if you are on the pitch.
Soon:
The big transfer saga of the summer
Adam Hurrey of The Athletic is the doyen of football terminology and a few years ago he boldly declared: Transfer sagas were dead“Something strange happened,” Adam wrote. “The transfers are (instead) taking forever.”
And then a deal is made that both proves and disproves this theory: Sale of Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid. Or his planned sale to Atletico. Or his sale that is in danger of being called off. TAFC has spent almost two weeks waiting for the confirmation of the transaction to be published – but no cigar.
The move to Gallagher is a real saga. And it takes a disproportionate amount of time. It has been six days since he flew to Spain for a medical examination. (after boarding the plane, which took ages alone). It has been four days since Atletico’s social accounts impulsively published a photo of him on their playing field (above)All that is needed now is for Atletico to pull the trigger – but they haven’t and, ridiculously, Gallagher returned to London yesterday.
Here’s what we know for sure:
- A transfer fee is agreed for the English internationalChelsea will receive £36 million ($47 million) if the payment ever arrives.
- Gallagher has no future at Stamford Bridge. He has rejected the offer of a contract extension and Chelsea are not prepared to lose him for nothing when his contract expires next summer.
- The terms of a five-year contract with Atletico have already been finalisedand Gallagher’s medical examination is complete. In theory, everything is ready.
The dynamic between Chelsea and Atletico
Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Image
Why the delay? It is not 100 percent clear, although money will be the root. Atletico have prepared to spend a lot of money in this transfer window, including more than £81 million for Manchester City’s Julian AlvarezAt least this transfer is completed and signed.
There is currently a complex dynamic between Chelsea and Atletico. They have been negotiating on several fronts. In addition to the Gallagher negotiations Chelsea offered £34.5m for Atletico striker Samu Omorodion… only to back out. This has not helped Atletico, which is trying to offset purchases with incoming money.
Since then, there has been talk that Chelsea could sign Joao Felix instead. (he was loaned to them from Atletico in 2023)We will see if this leads to anything or if successful negotiations are simply out of reach for these clubs.
No solution in sight
And to top it all off, there is Javi Guerrathe Valencia midfielder, for whom Atletico made a bid in parallel with their offer for Gallagher (almost a case of “playing it safe”).
When the war Deal failed last weekValencia’s sporting director Miguel Angel Corona clouded the situation by publicly claiming that Atletico tried to overturn the Gallagher deal to get Guerra – but failed. The insinuation was that Atletico lacked the money to finance both.
It’s a messand Gallagher, a proven Premier League player, remains in limbo.
He got the offer from Atletico. He saw his contract. He was in Madrid and he was on Atletico’s pitch. All that and he still can’t say whether he’s going to Atletico – or whether Atletico actually wants him at all.
News overview
Manchester United via Getty Images
Here’s another funny post from Chelsea. Cole Palmer has extended his contract. It now runs until 2033. Don’t get me wrong, it makes it easier for him to get a pay rise – and he absolutely deserves one – but a footballer on a nine-year contract is objectively amusing. And very, very Chelsea-like.
Manchester United have completed the signings of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui (a timely replacement for the recently injured Luke Shaw) from Bayern Munich. That’s two defenders for £51 million ($66 million) and two of Erik ten Hag’s former Ajax lads. The Dutchman likes what he knows.
Not the beginning The “Special One” is being sought in Turkey. Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce has already been eliminated from the Champions League.
Players in clubs in the Spanish Basque Country can be extremely loyal to them. Liverpool suspect it was this loyalty that led Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi to turn them down.
Even Premier League boss Richard Masters is fed up with the delay in resolving the 115 financial allegations against champions Manchester City. He says it is “time for the case to resolve itself”. We can all agree on that.
Some recent news by TA Towers: The Totally Football Show is back with its Premier League preview episode. Expect hilarity, happiness and…*checks notes*… Fulham will be fifth by Christmas?
The bizarre world of shirt numbers
Leeds United is a wild club that has a story for every occasion. When I read Stuart James on shirt numbers this morning, I immediately thought Leeds’ former owner Massimo Cellino Prohibition 17 from the squad list at Elland Road – on the grounds that it brings bad luck.
Cellino was that way out, but the squad numbers, all assigned for the coming year, can be extremely political.
Some have a special status. Others are sentimental, like Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who chose the number 99 to match his year of birth (although he is switching to number 1 this season). A few, like Ivan Zamorano, who demands 1+8 at Inter Milanare just wonderfully petty.
The power of brands can also complicate things: Edinson Cavani was pushed out of the number 7 to make way for the returning Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United, and women’s superstar Sam Kerr absolutely made sure she got the 20 at Chelsea. Top names use these numbers to market themselves, and they are non-negotiable.
Personally, I admire John Moncur’s style. When Paulo Futre insisted on taking the number 10 away from Moncur at West Ham United in 1996, Moncur said yes — but only after Futre had agreed to give him his villa in Spain. Well played.
Inside the mind of Kieran McKenna
The best way for a Championship manager to earn a job in the Premier League is to get his existing club promoted. Top teams do not often recruit managers from the EFL. The step up somehow involves too much risk.
Kieran McKenna is an exception. Even though Ipswich Town missed out on promotion last season, their performance there – second in League One in 2023, immediately in the running for the championship – is promising. Ipswich didn’t mess it up. They fought their way into the Premier League with 96 points.
They have certain character traits that you notice when you observe them. You love a cutback and they are looking to capitalise on the strong left foot of full-back Leif Davis (below). He is a good, cheap option for Fantasy Premier League. It will be hard to avoid relegation, but their stability gives them a chance.
Brighton took a closer look at McKenna earlier this summer. Chelsea have also considered him.
He is one to keep an eye on, as Ipswich was his first first-team job after a spell in Manchester United’s academy, and the spectacular success there – along with Michael Walker’s insight into his mind – leads you to believe that something bigger is waiting for you.
Injuries, fatigue… and Mbappe’s big debut?
Ready for Kylian Mbappe’s debut at Real Madrid today. Possibly. It’s the Supercup, where Champions League winners Madrid play against Europa League winners Atalanta. Carlo Ancelotti can unleash the beast.
We take a quick look at the two big teams in La Liga, because the season in Spain starts tomorrow. Between Real and Barcelona, there is a lot going on:
