The Mail+ claim Aston Villa made a late move on Wednesday to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher. The England international is rated at £35m. He is also said to be the subject of interest from Newcastle and West Ham.
Gallagher, 22, was sensational on loan at Crystal Palace last season. He had a hand in 13 goals in 39 games for the Eagles last term. The England midfielder has since returned to Chelsea, starting two of Chelsea’s five league games.
But he struggled in his first start, a 3-0 loss to Leeds. Then, he was sent off against Leicester for two yellow cards inside six minutes. With N’Golo Kante returning from injury, Gallagher is likely to return to the Chelsea bench after his start.
It might even tempt Chelsea into a sale. The latest report claims that Villa have made a late move on Wednesday to nab Gallagher. He is also a £35million target for Newcastle, West Ham and Crystal Palace. He has a deal until 2025.
Villa have made late move to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher
What a signing this would be for Aston Villa. But it might be that Gallagher is a replacement for Douglas Luiz. The Brazil international is attracting interest from the likes of Atletico Madrid, Newcastle and Arsenal on deadline day.
Indeed, Luiz scored straight from a corner last night in a 2-1 loss to Arsenal. He is in the final 12 months of his current Villa deal and he may be on the move before the end of the day. Gallagher might be the man to replace him.
If Luiz does go, then Gallagher would be brilliant replacement – if not, an improvement. The chance to work under one of England’s best-ever midfielders will surely tempt Gallagher, even if Steven Gerrard is coming under pressure.
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