Conor Gallagher Set to Leave Chelsea as Tottenham and West Ham Lead the Race for His Signature
Conor Gallagher, the talented midfielder from Chelsea, is reportedly set to leave the club this summer. According to reports, Tottenham and West Ham are leading the race to sign the England international. Despite scoring in Chelsea’s last two pre-season wins over Brighton and Wrexham, Gallagher has been deemed surplus to requirements by the Blues.
Gallagher, who won Chelsea’s Goal of the Season award last term, is actively being offered to clubs this summer. Both Tottenham and West Ham are currently the frontrunners to secure his signature ahead of the 2023-24 season. However, the Evening Standard reports that West Ham is ready to push ahead of Spurs in their pursuit of Gallagher. The Hammers are looking to bring in two midfielders after selling Declan Rice to Arsenal.
While West Ham may be eager to secure Gallagher’s services, Tottenham could be a more attractive option for the midfielder. The north London club is in need of homegrown players and is also potentially looking for a replacement for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who is strongly linked with a move to Atletico Madrid.
Gallagher, who has been with Chelsea since the age of six and came through their academy, was initially keen to stay and fight for his place at Stamford Bridge. However, he has accepted that he needs to leave the club as they are unwilling to offer him a new deal. New head coach Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly a fan of Gallagher but also accepts the decision made by Chelsea’s hierarchy regarding the player’s future.
In the January transfer window, Everton attempted to sign Gallagher and were willing to pay up to £45 million for him. However, the midfielder was not interested in the move. Newcastle United and Liverpool were also linked with Gallagher, but it is believed that they have now cooled their interest.
Gallagher has made a total of 45 first-team appearances for Chelsea and has also spent time out on loan at various clubs. He impressed during his loan spell at Crystal Palace, where he was named the club’s Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season.
As Gallagher’s departure from Chelsea looms, Tottenham and West Ham are in a race to secure his signature. Both clubs are eager to bolster their midfield options, and Gallagher’s talent and potential make him an attractive prospect. It remains to be seen which club will ultimately win the race for the England international, but it is clear that Gallagher’s time at Chelsea is coming to an end.
In conclusion, Conor Gallagher is set to leave Chelsea this summer, with Tottenham and West Ham leading the race to sign him. Despite his recent performances and success at Chelsea, the club has deemed him surplus to requirements. Gallagher’s departure presents an opportunity for both Tottenham and West Ham to strengthen their midfield options. As the race for his signature intensifies, it will be interesting to see where Gallagher ends up and how he will continue to develop as a player.