West Ham have reportedly had a £40 million offer for Conor Gallagher rejected by Chelsea.
The seven-cap England international, 23, is part of Mauricio Pochettino’s 29-man squad currently on the pre-season tour of the United States where the new Blues boss has admitted they lack sufficient midfield options ahead of the new campaign, having sold the likes of Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and N’Golo Kante earlier this summer transfer window.
However, with Pochettino having made Brighton’s Moises Caicedo his No.1 midfield target, the Pensioners could be open to listening to offers for Conor Gallagher. According to The Telegraph, West Ham will need a fee in the region of £50m to persuade Chelsea into selling Conor Gallagher, although it remains to be seen whether they return with an improved offer for the central midfielder.
Gallagher started 18 Premier League matches last season, during which the Blues rejected an important bid from relegation-threatened Everton in the January transfer window. He was not convinced of it and rejected a move to Everton. While the Englishman has been arguably one of the most impressive players in the pre-season tour of the United States, rumours have refused to disappear that he could still be surplus to requirements for Pochettino at Stamford Bridge.
Conor Gallagher to West Ham—Right option for David Moyes?
West Ham are actively looking to spend some of the money they have acquired from the recent sale of Declan Rice, who joined Arsenal in a deal worth up to £105m. Replacing Rice is among the priorities of David Moyes between now and the end of the transfer window, but considering his class, quality and experience, it is going to be very difficult.
Keeping that in mind, Moyes may look to bring in a couple of midfielders capable of filling the void in the West Ham squad left by his former skipper. Conor Gallagher is among the options under the Hammers’ consideration, with the 23-year-old having grown unsettled in recent months and is considering whether to leave Chelsea permanently.
An all-action midfielder, Gallagher would give energy, tenacity and creativity to the West Ham engine room. He can operate in various roles across the middle of the park and would represent a solid addition to the Hammers squad, which requires significant upgrading after a poor last season in the Premier League.
Gallagher had an impressive 2021/22 season on loan at Crystal Palace, where he registered eight goals and three assists in 34 Premier League outings. Given how consistently the Englishman performed at Palace and subsequently broke into the senior England squad, it makes sense for West Ham to up their bid and try signing Gallagher from Chelsea.
With the 2024 Euros coming up, the 23-year-old needs to play regularly if he is to make the cut for the England squad. Thus, Gallagher would also benefit from leaving Chelsea permanently and joining West Ham, where he will get regular opportunities to play and unlock his potential.
