West Ham United are ‘especially hopeful’ of completing a deal to sign Chelsea prospect Conor Gallagher this summer amid widespread transfer interest, according to the Northern Echo.
The Hammers are one of several Premier League sides believed to be courting Gallagher this summer with his immediate future at Chelsea in doubt following the arrivals of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and the potential addition of Kai Havertz.
Chelsea’s transfer activity has made the £4.86m-rated midfielder’s slim chances of breaking into Frank Lampard’s plans even less likely, creating the real possibility that the 20-year-old will be sent out for another loan spell following his recent efforts with Swansea City.
West Ham, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace are all noted to be making strong cases for a deal, with the Hammers and Eagles ‘especially hopeful’ of a transfer while the Magpies have earmarked Gallagher as one of their two leading domestic targets.
Newcastle are intending to focus heavily on the loan market this summer having seen the coronavirus pandemic reduce their spending power, and see Gallagher as a realistic target to add an attacking threat to Steve Bruce’s midfield.
Would you take Gallagher on loan next season?
Yes
No
Gallagher spent the second half of the 2019/20 season on loan at the Liberty Stadium following a brief spell with Charlton Athletic, where he made 26 outings and was involved in ten goals (six scored, four assisted).
The England U21 international continued to be involved in the goals whilst in south Wales, with Gallagher adding a further seven assists to his Championship record over 19 appearances which helped Swansea secure a Play-Off finish, eventually losing to Brentford.
Chelsea are now looking to send Gallagher out on loan to a top-flight side who play a similar brand of football to what Lampard is attempting to develop at Stamford Bridge, which is believed to be making a move to Crystal Palace tricky.
The Eagles are just one side on the scene, though, with reports suggesting as many as 12 sides across the Premier League and Championship vying for the midfielder’s signature.
Chelsea’s intentions should at least rule out a move to some of those sides, but Leeds United, Fulham, Southampton and Newcastle could prove to be fierce competitors.
