will reportedly consider offers for in January as they look to comply with financial regulations and raise funds for a new striker.
Despite spending over £1billion on new players since took over at Stamford Bridge last year, Chelsea have regressed even further and now face a huge fight to even qualify for Europe this season, let alone the .
Mauricio Pochettino’s side are 12th in the Premier League, 14 points off the top four, and after their 2-0 defeat at Everton on Sunday the manager stated that the club would have to delve back into the transfer market next month.
Top of his shopping list will be a striker, as converting chances remains the Blues’ biggest issue, with Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen closely linked.
Either No.9 would cost upwards of £70m however, and as such Chelsea would have to offload some players first and, according to the , Gallagher is being primed for the chopping block.
The midfielder has just 18 months left on his contract and the club want to sell him as soon as possible if new terms cannot be agreed in the next few weeks.
Complicating the negotiations is the 23-year-old’s reported reluctance to sign a long-term contract of up to eight years which has become the norm since Boehly’s takeover, though he is yet to be formally offered a new deal.
Some figures at the club are determined to sell him in January before his value decreases – just as Mason Mount’s did before his transfer to Manchester United – and also so the club don’t breach any Profit & Sustainability Rules.
There should be much interest in Gallagher as he was heavily linked with a move to London rivals Tottenham and West Ham last summer, with the former still keen on his services.
The England International has played the third most minutes of any Chelsea player this season and has even skippered the side on several occasions in the absence of club captain Reece James.
The decision to give him the armband has raised eyebrows however, with Stuart Pearce questioning the player’s experience and leadership skills, telling : ‘I’ve got nothing against him because I love the kid and I think he’s got a bright future Conor Gallagher.
‘But when I see Chelsea Football Club, who have got perceptions on winning the league, being led out, captained by Conor Gallagher. I’m thinking to myself, “This is Chelsea Football Club that’s had a captain like John Terry, that’s got the stature of John Terry”.
‘Conor might be a fantastic captain in time to come. But for him to lead Chelsea out at this moment in time, it’s too soon. And it sends a message out for me, that is there not a better suited captain in the ranks of your football team?’
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