CHELSEA are reportedly ready to let Conor Gallagher leave the club – despite him captaining the side yesterday.
And a shock Premier League rival is allegedly keen on snapping up the England international midfielder.
The 23-year-old has risen through the Blues’ academy and is now a first-team regular under Mauricio Pochettino, making 18 appearances so far this term.
He even skippered Chelsea in the dismal 2-0 defeat at Everton on Sunday.
However, Gallagher only has 18 months remaining on his current contract and he is still yet to be formally offered a new one.
Now the Daily Mail claims that Chelsea are “prepared to consider offers” for him next month “in order to raise funds for Pochettino to strengthen other areas of his squad”.
They claim that there “is little sign of negotiations progressing” on an extension to stay at Stamford Bridge and that could lead to a shock exit in the upcoming transfer window.
Some chiefs at the West London club are allegedly arguing that it makes “financial sense” to sell him due to their struggles to comply with Premier League spending rules.
Pochettino has made signing a new striker his top priority with both Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Brentford’s Ivan Toney his main targets.
But after an outlay of over £1bn since Todd Boehly took over last year, they know they may have to sell before they can buy in order not to breach Profit & Sustainability Rules.
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Gallagher was close to joining Tottenham last summer but he has become a key man under Pochettino and has been handed the armband on several occasions.
But he is believed to be reluctant to commit his future to the Blues for eight years, which is the length that Chelsea want on the contract.
And this report claims that Spurs would be interested again in buying the ex-Crystal Palace loanee should he become available.
Gallagher’s situation is complicated by his inflated accounting value, making him an attractive saleable asset to club chiefs.
Due to him being an academy produced player, his sale would be banked as profit and give them greater more money to spend on new recruits.
A host of home-grown aces have been sold off over recent years, with nearly £200m raised, which has enabled them to not breach the financial rules.
Chelsea also do not want to get involved in long, drawn-out contract discussions.
That scenario unfolded with Mason Mount before he eventually departed for Manchester United following a lengthy stand-off for £60m.
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