Chelsea name intriguing Conor Gallagher 'asking price' as Spurs and Aston Villa race to seal transfer

Chelsea may well be excited about the incoming boss Enzo Maresca but before any business can take place, the Stamford Bridge club must raise some funds ahead of June 30th’s Financial Fair Play deadline.

While the west London club assess a number of potential transfer options, Conor Gallagher has already been identified as a key figure set to help in Chelsea’s pursuit of cash due to his academy graduate status - any money produced from his sale can be put down as pure profit.

Tottenham Hotspur have been reported to be keeping tabs on the situation but the latest news indicates they could face a battle for his signature from both within the Premier League and La Liga.

Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solkehol has taken to his X (formerly Twitter) account to reveal: “Chelsea won’t let Connor Gallagher go for less than £50m. Mason Mount went for 50+5 and Gallagher is captain and regarded as better all-round player. Gallagher has been model professional. Not agitated for big new deal. Aston Villa and Atletico want him. Spurs expected to bid.”

The Athletic journalist David Ornstein, however, has reported on Villa’s interest further and has suggested that Unai Emery’s club have held ‘preliminary talks’ with the midfielder and that they are in also ‘in contact with the 24-year-old’s camp.’ The report also adds that the Spanish head coach at Villa Park is a ‘huge admirer’ of the England international who is fast emerging as a ‘top target’.

This will be a huge blow for Tottenham Hotspur who have long held interest in the west London star, having initially explored an option to sign him in the January transfer window.

Villa and Atletico Madrid’s reported interest in Gallagher - who has acted as club captain in the absence of the injured Reece James and Ben Chilwell - is not deterring Spurs, however, with Sky Sports reporting Tottenham are fully ‘expected to thunder in’ with a bid of their own. Additionally, the emergence of more suitors only enhances Chelsea’s chances of receiving the full £50 million for Gallagher’s much-wanted signature.

Gallagher first joined the Chelsea set-up in 2008 and had spells at Charlton Athletic, Swansea, West Brom and Crystal Palace before breaking into the Blues first team in 2022. He has 13 England appearances, making his debut in November 2021 and, after impressive against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday, is likely to make Gareth Southgate’s 26-player England squad for the upcoming European Championships.

Ahead of the 2023/24 season, Chelsea rejected a bid from West Ham for Gallagher’s signature but as the midfielder now only has one year left on his contract, they will surely hope to seal a deal in the upcoming window rather than risking losing such an asset on a free transfer next summer.