Speaking on the Talking Transfers Podcast, Graeme Bailey has been discussing Newcastle United’s transfer plans and recent links to Conor Gallagher.
The Telegraph reported this week that Gallagher is a player of interest to Newcastle, but according to Bailey, this transfer is unlikely to go ahead.
Indeed, the reporter says that Chelsea have no interest in helping strengthen Newcastle as they now see them as a genuine top four rival.
Newcastle won’t get Gallagher
Bailey shared what he knows about the England midfielder.
“He’s been offered around. Newcastle are in the market for some experience for their top four finish. We’ve seen links to Gallagher, but he’s not going there is what I’m told,” Bailey said.
“Chelsea have no ambition of helping Newcastle’s top four push, but that seems counter-intuitive when they’d let them have Ziyech, because he’s not in Chelsea’s plans, so they want to get Ziyech off the wage bill. There is a line of communication between St James’ Park and Stamford Bridge, but it is an issue with Newcastle pushing for this top four place. I think Newcastle would do Ziyech on loan.”
Hard to argue
It’s hard to make an argument against Chelsea’s stance here.
Newcastle are the biggest threat to the status quo in English football right now, and the so-called ‘big boys’ will want to do all they can to keep the Magpies from becoming Champions League regulars.
The Tyneside club’s chances of making the Champions League in the coming years will only be boosted if they signed a player as talented as Gallagher, so it’s clear why Chelsea don’t want to let him go.
However, they are reportedly ready to let Hakim Ziyech go to Newcastle, but perhaps that says more about how much Chelsea rate the Moroccan rather than how much they see Newcastle as a threat.
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