Chelsea are set to consider the future of Conor Gallagher at Stamford Bridge at the end of this season. The midfielder is also a target of Newcastle United for a transfer this summer.
That is according to Ben Jacobs, who reports Chelsea may pursue another lavish spending spree this summer. Todd Boehly signing off on yet further arrivals would also see Gallagher fall even further out of favour. So, the Blues will likely strive to sell their academy product.
Any deal to offload Gallagher would go a long way toward improving the budget at Chelsea for another new midfielder. His departure will count as pure profit in UEFA’s FFP guidelines as a homegrown player. Yet the west London club would still demand a high fee to cash in.
Chelsea would demand around £40m to sell Gallagher in the off-season as the 23-year-old is under contract to June 2025. He has also played in 26 of their games in all competitions this term. The Epsom native also has one goal and one assist in 19 Premier League outings.
Gallagher showed he can provide a creative spark from central midfield on loan to Crystal Palace last season, as well. Through 34 top-flight outings in Patrick Vieira’s plans, the four-cap England ace – who debuted in November 2021 – scored eight and assisted three goals.
Newcastle are the frontrunner to secure a transfer with Chelsea for Gallagher
Everton were willing to pay Chelsea an initial £40m, plus add-ons, to sign Gallagher during January, per Sky Sports. Sean Dyche identified the Blues product as a midfielder to take his Toffees core to a higher level after he replaced Frank Lampard in charge at Goodison Park.
Yet Gallagher rejected the transfer to Everton, also per Sky Sports, as their relegation fight was unappealing. Now, the Merseyside outfit trail Crystal Palace but above all the Magpies for him, per the Evening Standard. Newcastle are the frontrunner for a deal with Chelsea.
Newcastle can strengthen their position in front of Crystal Palace and Everton in the battle for Gallagher’s transfer from Chelsea. St James’ Park will become an ever-more appealing destination for the 5 ft 11 technician if the Toon can gain Champions League qualification.
Thomas Tuchel did not field Gallagher in the premier UEFA competition this season before Chelsea sacked the German last September. Graham Potter, similarly, only started the 23-year-old – whom Tuchel called ‘extraordinary’ – in one of his five outings for 191 minutes.
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