Chelsea sweat over Conor Gallagher contract stalemate as Premier League rivals circle
Chelsea face a nervous summer as contract talks with midfielder Conor Gallagher stall. According to the Daily Mail, several Premier League clubs are circling with interest.
The 24-year-old is entering the final year of his contract, and per the reports, there has been no progress after months of negotiations.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to retain the tenacious midfielder, but his influence on transfer dealings remains unclear after the sporting directors oversaw previous windows.
Gallagher’s durability is one major reason for Pochettino’s admiration. He has logged the most miles of any Chelsea player this season, even captaining the side in Reece James’ absence.
Gallagher has been one of Chelsea’s better players this season. No player has won possession more times in the attacking third in Europe’s top seven leagues this season.
He has won the most duels for Chelsea this season, while also making the most tackles and interceptions.
The Epsom-born star has netted four goals and has created ten big chances in the Premier League this season. He may not be the most silky player, but his grit is an intangible asset, and his numbers are improving consistently.
Chelsea insist they value Gallagher, a club academy graduate since the age of eight, but their willingness to sell in the past has alerted rivals.
Tottenham Hotspur are a potential destination. Gallagher’s box-to-box style fits Ange Postecoglou’s system.
Newcastle United, Liverpool, West Ham United, Everton, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Fulham also hold interest in the England international.
However, Chelsea won’t be short-changed. The Blues demanded £40 million last summer, and with Gallagher’s stock rising after a strong season, the asking price could be even higher.
This is especially true for Tottenham, from who Chelsea would likely demand a premium to avoid strengthening a direct rival.
Despite a disappointing season, Chelsea are targeting a top-four finish next campaign and don’t want to bolster their competition.
Chelsea might need to sell players like Gallagher to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), though the club denies this being a factor.
However, Gallagher’s status as a homegrown talent means he is pure profit under the rules. He is a valuable financial asset.
Losing Gallagher alongside Thiago Silva this summer would be a heavy blow to a Chelsea dressing room already facing a demoralising season.
The coming months will be crucial, with Chelsea and the player needing to decide on their long-term future.
Common sense says Chelsea need to keep their prized midfielder, but as we’ve seen over the past two years, there is a dearth of critical reasoning at the club.