PL club planning to hijack La Liga giants' deal for Chelsea star Conor Gallagher - Reports
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly planning to hijack Atletico Madrid's deal for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher. The Spanish giants are reportedly in advanced talks to sign the Blues' academy graduate, who is valued at around £40million.
Gallagher was instrumental in Chelsea's 2023-24 season, making 50 appearances across competitions. The Blues had a rather underwhelming season, but the 24-year-old was arguably the club's best performer after talisman Cole Palmer.
In club captain Reece James' absence, Gallagher was also entrusted with the captain's armband. He played in a deeper role in midfield under now-sacked manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Gallagher was sent on loan to Crystal Palace for the 2021-22 season. He scored eight goals and managed three assists in 34 league appearances for the club. The midfielder was named The Eagles' Player of the Year before returning to his parent club.
Since then, the 24-year-old has appeared in 95 games for Chelsea across all competitions and has scored 10 goals and provided 10 assists.
According to a report by Football Insider, while Atletico Madrid are in advanced talks to sign Gallagher, Spurs are planning to hijack the move.
The report says that the Lilywhites have been chasing the midfielder since January and are keen on bolstering their squad ahead of the upcoming season. Ange Postecoglou's side finished fifth in England last season and will be competing in the Europa League.
It is reported that Gallagher would prefer to stay in the Premier League. However, Spurs have been rather mute in the transfer window and it remains to be seen if they're able to snipe the 24-year-old's signature from Diego Simeone's side.
Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah is also linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge
From the looks of it, the Blues will be losing two academy graduates this year. The club also bid farewell to Mason Mount last season, who moved to Manchester United for a reported fee of £55 million. He had been with the west London club since 2005.
Trevoh Chalobah has also been linked with a move away from Chelsea. The defender wasn't named in the Blues' squad for the pre-season tour to the USA. Chalobah has featured in 80 senior games for Chelsea but only featured in 17 games last season due to injury, scoring once.
According to reports, the Red Devils are keen on bagging his services. Following the departure of Raphael Varane and with Harry Maguire's best days arguably behind him, United are keen on bolstering their defense.
Notably, United are also linked with Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt, who is reportedly keen on moving to England.