Chelsea has turned down a £40 million approach from West Ham United for England midfielder Conor Gallagher.
West Ham, who have also made an initial offer for Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse, are aiming to rebuild their midfield after selling Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105 million.
Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have also expressed interest in signing Gallagher, who is one of Chelsea’s few remaining senior midfielders.
According to the Telegraph Sport, Spurs are a more likely destination for Gallagher than West Ham.
The 23-year-old Chelsea academy graduate has two years left on his contract, so this summer represents the club’s last chance to get full value for him.
West Ham are also thought to be interested in Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha and Switzerland international Denis Zakaria, who spent last season on loan at Chelsea from Juventus.
Chelsea are currently short on senior central midfielders with the departures of Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek since the turn of the year.
Only six midfielders were chosen by Mauricio Pochettino for the club’s pre-season tour of the United States, with Gallagher being the oldest of the six.
Chelsea are still interested in signing Moises Caicedo, their top midfield target this summer, but have yet to meet Brighton’s valuation of the player, which surpasses £100 million.
Gallagher appeared in 35 Premier League games last season, scoring three goals, but only 18 of those were starts.
Despite the uncertainties surrounding his future, the England international has been in fine form in pre-season, scoring in this weekend’s triumph over Brighton.
Gallagher has previously spent seasons on loan in the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace. His aggressive performances in the centre of midfield for Palace during the 2021/22 season were so impressive that he was selected the club’s player of the season.
