Diego Simeone has “personally assured Conor Gallagher he is DESPERATE” for the Chelsea midfielder to join Atletico Madrid as a potential move hangs in the balance.

Diego Simeone has personally told Conor Gallagher that Atletico Madrid are desperate to sign him, according to a report.

Gallagher looked set to leave Chelsea for the Spanish side this summer after arriving in Madrid, but complications surrounding Samu Omorodion’s move to the Blues have left him in the balance.

The midfielder found himself on a flight back to England with his future unclear, but both sides are still keen to do business that would see Gallagher sign permanently for Atletico.

Former Chelsea striker Joao Felix, who could go the other way, appears to have given Gallagher and both clubs the chance for the move to go ahead.

And Atletico manager Simeone, who Gallagher could find himself playing for next season, has made it known to the player directly that he wants him to join his side, reported The Telegraph.

Conor Gallagher (pictured) has been personally assured he is wanted at Atletico Madrid by Diego Simeone, according to a report.

Simeone (pictured) is said to have spoken to Gallagehr to keep him in the loop about the potential move.

Gallagher and his family spent the last few days in Spain awaiting confirmation of the move

It is suggested that Simeone, who has been in charge of the club since 2011, contacted Gallagher personally before flying back to the UK to assure him that he wanted him to complete the move.

The report suggests the Argentine did not want Gallagher to return to England with doubts over the move, which could still be completed in the coming days.

The England international has already agreed personal terms and passed his medical with the Spanish outfit, but is now back in training with Chelsea, training with the Under-21s as well as fellow exiles Romelu Lukaku and Trevoh Chalobah.

Atletico have already completed the signing of Julian Alvarez from Manchester City in an £81m deal and are keen to raise funds by leaving Omorodion – and potentially Felix – to sign Gallagher.

Gallagher, who has been with the Blues since the age of eight, is believed to have been told he will only be a first-team player as part of new manager Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge.

However, as he remains a Chelsea player, it is believed the club have told the player to return to England while talks continue – with Gallagher returning to London on Tuesday.

The England midfielder flew back to Chelsea after there was a breakdown in the deal

Pedro Neto became Chelsea’s tenth signing of another busy summer in the Clearlake Capital era on Sunday

Chelsea most recently announced the £54m signing of Pedro Neto from Wolves, confirming his move south during the break in their 1-1 friendly draw with Inter Milan on Sunday.

The winger’s arrival brings the west London club’s total squad to a total of 43 players, with 10 signings brought in this window alone.