Chelsea have rejected West Ham United’s £40 million bid for Conor Gallagher but remains open to selling the midfielder at £50 million.
According to ESPN, Chelsea have not deliberated much on West Ham United’s £40 million bid for Conor Gallagher and swiftly rejected the offer. The Blues are open to selling the midfielder for £50 million if they can secure more signings in the area as the window progresses.
Conor Gallagher remains relaxed about his future as a Chelsea player and seems unfazed by the prospect of signing for another club. He must know the Blues are already planning without him and remain open to a sale for the right price.
Chelsea have sold or lost most of their key midfielders, with Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Mason Mount no longer at the club. They are working hard to reshape their midfield options, with Moises Caicedo still their priority target.
Negotiations with Brighton & Hove Albion have dragged on as an agreement seems nowhere close between the two sides. As Chelsea set about for their pre-season tour of the US, they had a visible shortage of midfielders and hence took Gallagher along.
Chelsea have rejected West Ham first bid for Conor Gallagher around £40m with add-ons. 🚨🔵⛔️
After discussing internally and also with Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea decided to reject.
West Ham remain interested but #CFC want at least £50m to sell Conor. pic.twitter.com/CRLpg0CXDl
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 25, 2023
In truth, they are keen on a sale, as his academy graduate status allows Chelsea to make a massive profit from his transfer. Tottenham had been interested and could yet make a move at a later stage. For them to bring Gallagher, Pierre-Emile Hojberg might have to depart, and there’s decent interest in the Dane.
Meanwhile, West Ham were also interested and launched a £40 million bid on Monday, hoping to begin negotiations. However, Chelsea have rejected the bid as they feel the money on offer is insufficient. The Blues are open to a sale of the midfielder if suitors offer £50 million.
The Hammers are keen to reinforce their midfield with options that can replace Declan Rice. The England midfielder left a massive void, and West Ham have considered multiple options in the market. Fulham’s Joao Palhinha, Ajax’s Edson Alvarez, and Juventus’s Denis Zakaria are all options, but the Hammers are nowhere close to signing anyone.
Meanwhile, they might look to make another bid for Gallagher but may not pay the £50 million Chelsea desire. With the midfielder also relaxed about his situation, Chelsea may struggle to sell him at that price range.
As for West Ham, they might move on and must do so swiftly to identify a new target in midfield. They will continue to monitor their priority targets and may move on from the Gallagher chase altogether if Chelsea remains firm on their £50 million demand.
