Chelsea’s bitter London rivals Tottenham have emerged as a potential destination for midfielder Conor Gallagher this summer as the Blues look to undergo a deep clean of their squad before the new campaign.
Transfers between the two clubs have tended to be few and far between thanks to a significant rivalry having developed in recent years, but former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival at Chelsea, in the wake of several former Chelsea bosses ending up at Tottenham, could be a sign of things changing.
Gallagher is widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after an unsuccessful return to the club last campaign, scoring just 3 times in 35 outings on his way to Chelsea’s worst ever Premier League finish.
Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher during the Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture date: Sunday August 21, 2022. 2JR2G9B Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher during the Premier League match at Elland Road, Leeds. Picture date: Sunday August 21, 2022. (Alamy Stock Photo)
A former academy graduate, his sale would help balance Chelsea’s financial fair play regulations after their £500m spending spree across the last two transfer windows, and a bid from Everton was turned down in January.
Consistently linked with a move to Newcastle United, Football.London now report that the Magpies are ‘looking at other options’ but that ‘Tottenham also hold an interest in the England midfielder’ and could make a move to sign the 23-year-old under new boss Ange Postecoglu.
With Postecoglu having opted for a three man midfield during his time with Celtic, a move for the Englishman would make plenty of sense. Rodrigo Bentancur remains sidelined with a knee injury, leaving just Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oliver Skipp and Pape Sarr as senior midfield options.