Newcastle United are interested in signing Chelsea star Conor Gallagher during the January transfer window. But the Blues product is likely to frustrate Eddie Howe if the Toon do bid.
That is according to the Daily Mail, which reports Gallagher would prefer to stay at Chelsea amid Newcastle’s interest. The 22-year-old’s name has featured in discussions at St James’ Park as Howe looks to strengthen. Yet the midfielder wants to make it at Stamford Bridge.
Howe believes the Magpies are short on numbers in their engine room which the injury for Bruno Guimaraes only heightened. The Brazilian suffered an ankle problem against Fulham on Saturday. But scans suggest he will only face a matter of weeks rather than months out.
Howe is stepping up Newcastle’s transfer plans with an interest in Gallagher
Still, Howe hopes to use the January sales to strengthen the core of his squad. He will also mention Guimaraes’ injury to the decision-makers at St James’ to support his goal to spend in the winter market. The Toon boss is also hopeful of adding proven Premier League stars.
Chelsea ace Gallagher is a name that Newcastle have discussed during talks over potential January transfer targets. The four-cap England midfielder has played 81 top-flight matches over the past two-and-a-half seasons. He also has 11 goals and six assists during 69 starts.
Reports by The Telegraph have also cited the Toon as exploring the potential of signing the midfielder in January. But it also adds that Blues boss Graham Potter would be loath to see him leave Stamford Bridge this month. Even if Gallagher only has a bit-part presence there.
Gallagher has featured in 19 games in all competitions so far since Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge. But he has only started in seven of those outings, including five of his 12 Premier League matches. He has also only appeared for a combined 793 minutes.
Crystal Palace are rivalling Howe to secure a deal with Chelsea in January
Newcastle have a long-standing interest in securing Gallagher’s transfer from Chelsea. The Daily Mail had reported in August that the Toon expressed their eagerness to sign him with Crystal Palace and West Ham United also keen. But Tuchel set the Blues’ price tag at £35m.
The Eagles remain interested in the midfielder’s services, too. The Sun cites Patrick Vieira’s side as preparing one last offer to tempt Gallagher back to Selhurst Park following his loan spell in 2021/22. Crystal Palace are prepared to find the funds to back Vieira’s pursuit, too.
Tuchel was full of praise for Gallagher following the Newcastle target’s loan transfer from Chelsea to Crystal Palace. He spoke fondly of the Blues product last summer yet only gave him five appearances – all in the Premier League and starting in three – before his sacking.
“His development is extraordinary and outstanding,” Tuchel noted, via quotes by Chelsea’s official club website, in April. “He has so much positive energy, so much energy in general and so much work rate to give that he can, of course, be a big help and a big influence.”
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