Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher is set to stay with the club beyond the summer transfer window deadline after being priced out of a deadline-day move to Tottenham.
According to The Daily Mail, Tottenham have been priced out of a move for Conor Gallagher, with Chelsea demanding in excess of £48 million for the England international.
Throughout the summer transfer window, the England international has been regarded as a player who may be sold by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital to generate pure income to meet FFP regulations.
Furthermore, the arrival of several midfielders for big transfer fees hints that the 23-year-old would be available for a suitable fee.
West Ham saw their £40 million offer for Gallagher rejected by Chelsea earlier this summer. Tottenham are now vying for the England international in the final few hours of the summer transfer window, which closes tonight at 11 p.m.
The Lilywhites have made their first move for Gallagher in recent hours by submitting a verbal offer worth up to £40 million, including add-ons, which falls short of Chelsea’s steep valuation of £48 million.
The Blues’ high valuation coupled with Spurs’ inability to offload players earlier in the day means talks between the clubs over a Gallagher transfer have now hit the dead end, and the 23-year-old is now set to stay beyond the transfer window closing.
Spurs ideally required some players to head out of the exit door, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg reported on Fulham’s shortlist of targets, but the Dane rejected a move to Craven Cottage, which in turn derailed the Gallagher swoop.
Since Pochettino’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, Gallagher has played a regular part in the side, starting all four matches in all competitions. The academy graduate was also handed the captain’s armband for Wednesday’s 2-1 EFL Cup victory against AFC Wimbledon, further indicating his status within the group.
And speaking after the game, the midfielder made it clear that he wants to stay and fight for his place on Mauricio Pochettino’s side, which has been the player’s preferred stance throughout the summer. In recent hours, Chelsea boss Pochettino confirmed his desire to keep the academy graduate beyond this window.
Gallagher has two years remaining on his contract, which normally leads to Boehly and Clearlake either parting company with a player or renegotiating fresh terms. It will be interesting to see whether or not Chelsea will open talks with the player’s camp to discuss contract extensions in the coming months now that he is seen as a vital part of Pochettino’s plans going forward.