Tottenham are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, but face competition from West Ham for his signature.
The Blues are open to moving on the seven-cap England international, who still has two years left on his current contract. While the central midfielder has been arguably one of the most impressive performers in Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States, he is deemed surplus to requirements for Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge.
According to The Guardian, Tottenham consider Conor Gallagher as a potential replacement for Denmark international Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who is closing in on a move to Atlético Madrid.
Gallagher, 23, who came through Chelsea’s academy, has not made a final call on his future amid the Blues’ embarking on a major clearout ahead of Pochettino’s first season at the helm. West Ham are targeting the 23-year-old after selling Declan Rice to Arsenal. The Hammers have had a bid of £37m plus add-ons for Gallagher rejected while the Chelsea midfielder is also on Newcastle United’s radar, the report adds.
Conor Gallagher to Tottenham—Right choice for their midfield?
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is on the verge of leaving Spurs for Atletico Madrid, and if a move goes through, then the club would enter the market to replace the Dane.
In need of a dynamic and versatile midfielder, Spurs could benefit from Conor Gallagher’s arrival under what is looking to be a refurbished attacking unit under Ange Postecoglou. Gallagher struggled to find a fixed position at Chelsea in a hugely disappointing 2022/23 season, playing all across the midfield as well as at right wing-back at times under four different managers. He only started 18 Premier League games, which was not enough for the 23-year-old.
Gallagher has the potential to become a top midfielder in the Premier League, having shown glimpses of his quality on loan at Crystal Palace during the 2021/22 campaign where he registered eight goals and three assists in 34 Premier League outings. Given how he performed consistently and subsequently broke into the England squad, it makes sense as to why Spurs are interested in his services.
If Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham are keen to get their hands on Gallagher before the transfer window slams shut, they may well need to accelerate their pursuit, with West Ham having already seen a £40m bid rejected by Chelsea earlier this week. He would be a quality addition to Postecoglou’s squad, adding tenacity, energy and creativity to their midfield unit.
If the right offer from Tottenham were to arrive, however, Chelsea would be hard-pressed to reject it given they need funds to sign Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo—Pochettino’s No.1 midfield target. All in all, Spurs must make a move for Gallagher as quickly as possible as he could turn out to be a shrewd long-term investment.