Tottenham Hotspur are considering a move for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, reports the Telegraph.
Gallagher came through the youth ranks at Chelsea, spending 11 years in the Blues’ academy before earning his first professional contract in 2019.
Following this, he had loan spells at Charlton Athletic, Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace.
He began to make a name for himself at Palace. In 34 league appearances for the Eagles, the midfielder bagged eight goals and three assists, winning the club’s Player of the Year award.
This form was enough to attract the attention of England manager Gareth Southgate, who handed him his first cap in November 2021.
The 23-year-old was included in the Three Lions squad for last year’s World Cup, although he didn’t feature in any of their five outings.
He was unable to make a major impact last season. Gallagher was limited to a rotational role, starting 18 league games and appearing 17 times off the bench.
New manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to give Gallagher a chance to fight for his place next season.
But if Chelsea decide to cash in, Tottenham could be his next destination – with the Lilywhites in the market for midfield options.
Spurs could be in need of fresh faces in midfield, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg potentially on his way to Atletico Madrid.
The Dane has been a regular for the club since signing in 2020, making 145 appearances in all competitions.
Gallagher is considered to be of a similar profile to Hojbjerg – both are energetic, physical and capable with the ball at their feet. If the former Bayern Munich midfielder departs, Gallagher is a natural replacement.
The England international could be valued at as much as £50 million. Newcastle United were previously linked, but only on a loan deal.
Tottenham have already added James Maddison and Manor Solomon to their midfield this summer.
Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso will return from their loan spells, and Rodrigo Bentancur will be back in action after a long-term injury.
Gallagher could be the latest departure in a mass exodus at Stamford Bridge. Last year’s spending spree left the Blues with an over-inflated squad, leaving them in dire need of a clear-out.
Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have been sold, while N’Golo Kante and Cesar Azpilicueta have exited on free transfers.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi are also expected to leave before the end of the transfer window.
