Tottenham Hotspur will sign Conor Gallagher at the end of the season if the midfielder still does not sign a new contract with Chelsea.
And Chelsea have faced the “nightmare” dilemma of a player who could leave in the last three transfer windows. According to one expert, as the 24-year-old player’s contract approaches its final 12 months, his transfer value is decreasing but his salary profile is increasing.
Chelsea may also find themselves unable to be so selective about a potential target if Gallagher’s contract remains unresolved, having previously encouraged deals with the likes of Everton, West Ham United, Fulham and Brighton ahead of Spurs and Newcastle United.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino described 24-year-old Gallagher as “invaluable” after the midfielder’s two-goal performance against Crystal Palace, where he spent a season on loan.
Despite the talks, Telegraph Sport understands there has been no significant progress on a new contract for Gallagher, who Chelsea accepted two offers from Everton in January 2023, was included in the list of available players last summer and has not ruled out selling in this year’s January transfer window. window.
The expectation remains that Chelsea will make some sort of contract offer to Gallagher to extend his contract, but a deal is still far from final.
Chelsea opened the door for Gallagher to move to Everton a year ago in a deal worth £45 million, but the player was not interested in swapping Stamford Bridge for Goodison Park.
Newcastle United also expressed an interest in Gallagher at the same time, but Chelsea, believing they could catch Eddie Howe’s side in the top four, did not want to help someone perceived as a rival at the time.
West Ham United made a similar verbal offer to Everton last summer, but Gallagher was reluctant to move to the London Stadium, with Tottenham’s interest increasing towards the end of the summer window.
While Gallagher is believed to have been sold to the likes of West Ham, Brighton and Fulham last summer, the club are understood to be more reluctant to sell him to the likes of Spurs and Liverpool.
When Spurs finally inquired about Gallagher just days before last summer’s transfer window closed, they were quoted a price of over £50 million, making a late deal impossible.
Postecoglou is a Gallagher fan
Tottenham did not follow up on that interest in January, when Pochettino revealed Gallagher had told him he wanted to stay at the club he first joined when he was eight years old.
However, Spurs are ready to make a definitive move for Gallagher at the end of the season if his contract is not extended by the summer, with industry pundits believing Chelsea will have no choice but to consider selling him to rivals for a relatively modest fee. or give them a new deal with higher wages than they had previously negotiated.
Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou is a big fan of Gallagher and believes he could be a perfect fit for his energetic style. The club’s coach, Johan Lange, tried to transfer the player to his former club Aston Villa a few years ago.
Asked to price Gallagher for the Telegraph Sport, a senior sporting director who does not work at Chelsea or any club interested in signing the England international, said: “With a year left on his contract, clubs will value Gallagher at around £30m. “Between £35 million and £35m, which is far less than what Chelsea would feel they are worth.”
But while his transfer value in the eyes of Chelsea’s rivals may be falling, his salary profile is increasing, according to the sporting director: “Given that he captained Chelsea, he has been and remains one of their best players this season. An international coming from England, then he earns around £150,000 a week.
“This could potentially be a nightmare for Chelsea. They could be forced to pay around £150,000 a week for Gallagher which seems to be more than they are willing to pay outside players, they could be forced to sign him a new contract or sell him for less to a club they wouldn’t want to deal with.” .they had hoped to capture it before.
It’s interesting that while Reece James and Levi Colwill have been quickly given lucrative new contracts, Chelsea have so far been much more reluctant to give Gallagher a new contract.
The player didn’t have his best season last season, when almost every Chelsea player struggled, but he has become Pochettino’s go-to man this campaign, making more appearances for the Argentinian (23) than any other player at the club.
Gallagher ranks first in matches started, joint first in matches played and third in total minutes under Pochettino. He also ranks first among Chelsea’s players in terms of tackles, tackles, possession, possession in the final third, duels won, fouls conceded and fouls won. He ranks second in assists, opportunities created and opportunities created from open play.