Newcastle United are now the front-runner to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea in the summer transfer window. But Crystal Palace and Everton remain keen on the midfielder.
That is according to the Evening Standard, which reports Chelsea are now planning a huge sale in the summer. Stamford Bridge chiefs are desperate to trim the excess from Graham Potter’s side following an influx of new players since Todd Boehly bought the club in 2022.
Boehly and the new board in west London also plan to continue spending vast amounts in the upcoming windows. So, Chelsea are intent on raising funds with Champions League TV money potentially out of the question. They sit 10th in the Premier League after 20 games.
The Blues have compiled a long list of players they will consider offers for at the end of the season. Gallagher is one player Chelsea will let leave having failed to secure his transfer in January. His transfer will count as pure profit in UEFA’s FFP books as an academy graduate.
Newcastle will lead the race entering the off-season to secure a transfer for Gallagher from Chelsea. The Toon can also improve their position further should Eddie Howe now lead the Magpies into the Champions League. They sit in third and are 10 points in front of Chelsea.
Newcastle target Gallagher rejected a transfer to Everton to stay at Chelsea
Crystal Palace and Everton also intend to track Gallagher’s situation at Chelsea in view of a transfer in the summer. The 22-year-old will have two years remaining on his £50k-a-week contract at the end of the term. He also now has a greater fight for minutes under Potter.
Gallagher has only started nine of his 18 Premier League appearances so far this term. The four-cap England international has further only opened six of his 13 outings since Potter’s arrival in west London. But Enzo Fernandez has also now arrived from Benfica for £107m.
Yet despite Chelsea signing a new midfielder in January, Gallagher rejected his transfer to Everton. Sky Sports reported the Epsom-born technician had no interest in moving to the Toffees. While Newcastle could not afford to secure a permanent deal during the winter.
Everton were willing to pay Chelsea £40m, plus £5m in add-ons, to secure Gallagher in a mid-season transfer, also per Sky Sports. Sean Dyche identified the midfielder as a player who could take the Goodison Park outfit to a higher level after replacing Frank Lampard.
The Toffees’ total £45m offer was enough to convince the Blues to sell, per talkSPORT. It also cited interest from Crystal Palace and West Ham United in the 5 ft 11 star who turns 23 on February 6 and whom Thomas Tuchel called him ‘outstanding’ under him last April.
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