Aston Villa have emerged as surprise contenders to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher this summer, according to the Telegraph.
The England international could leave the club this summer, and there is an ongoing battle for his signature.
The 24-year-old midfielder has recorded five goals and seven assists in 36 Premier League appearances, and several clubs are circling.
Tottenham Hotspur remain the front-runners for the tenacious midfielder, with manager Ange Postecoglou a big admirer.
However, Villa have also expressed interest. The Villans boast a good relationship with Chelsea at the board level which will aid negotiations.
Tottenham’s failure to qualify for the Champions League weakens their appeal to the player.
Chelsea must comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and want to sell Gallagher for pure profit.
The Blues will reportedly not accept a cut-rate deal for Gallagher, who was previously valued at £50 million, despite having a year left on his contract.
They might be tempted to take former target Jhon Duran off Villa’s hands in an exchange deal.
Gallagher is open to staying at Chelsea despite potentially facing increased competition next season, with Lesley Ugochukwu, Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia hopefully fit.
Several other clubs are interested in the Chelsea midfielder and can pick him up on a free transfer next summer. Gallagher has a big decision to make.
Chelsea have decided to continue their baffling transfer strategy of neglecting the first team while focusing on accruing young and untested talents from South America.
The Blues claim they need to sell to comply with financial regulations but can still afford to splash out £58 million to sign 17-year-old Estevao Willian.
Chelsea should prioritise Gallagher, a durable and well-known team leader with a winning mentality, over a gamble on another unpolished prospect.
