(Football news) Under former manager Mauricio Pochettino, the 24-year-old established himself as a vital member of the Blues midfield last season, playing more minutes (4.036) than any other member of the squad across all competitions.
With five goals and seven assists in 37 Premier League games, Gallagher helped Chelsea secure a sixth-place result and a spot in the Europa Conference League for the following campaign.
Gallagher is still a valuable player at Stamford Bridge, but because of the Blues’ financial woes, he has consistently been linked to leaving the team.
Chelsea can ease the risk of breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules if they make big-money sales this summer, and they know that the potential sale of academy graduate Gallagher would represent pure profit for the club.
Emery keen to sign Gallagher
Gallagher’s long-term future at Chelsea remains uncertain heading into the summer transfer window, with his current contract due to expire in June 2025.
Tottenham Hotspur have regularly been credited with an interest in the England international, but they are set to face competition from fellow Premier League outfit Aston Villa for his signature.
According to multiple reports, Villa have opened talks with Chelsea over a deal to sign Gallagher, with Unai Emery said to be ‘desperate’ to lure the midfielder to the West Midlands club.
The report adds that Villa intend to move quickly in the transfer market in an attempt to land one of their key targets, but it remains to be seen whether they are willing to stump up at least £50m for the Englishman.
Gallagher to consider Chelsea stay under Maresca?
It also remains to be seen whether Gallagher would be open to leaving his boyhood club and joining an Aston Villa side who will be competing in next season’s Champions League after securing a top-four finish in the 2023-24 Premier League.
Gallagher recently hinted that he might like to stay at Chelsea as he is “excited” by the prospect of working under new head coach Enzo Maresca.
“I’ve heard really good things and I’ve seen really good things. Really exciting,” Gallagher told Sky Sports after playing in England’s 3-0 friendly win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday, just a few hours after Maresca’s appointment was confirmed.
“Myself and everyone at Chelsea are really happy and excited to work with him.”
Gallagher is not the only midfielder on Aston Villa’s wishlist, as they are reportedly on the verge of completing the £5m signing of ex-Blues man Ross Barkley from Luton Town.
Also read: Barcelona willing to sell defender amid interest from Manchester United
