In a strategic move to bolster their attacking prowess with the Nigerian superstar, Chelsea is reportedly on the verge of offloading midfielder Conor Gallagher to arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur, according to FootballTransfers.com.
The €50 million deal could potentially pave the way for the Blues to intensify their pursuit of Napoli’s goal-scoring sensation, Victor Osimhen, in the upcoming January transfer window.
Gallagher has long been on Spurs’ radar, and negotiations between the London rivals had begun during the summer. However, Chelsea was initially reluctant to part ways with the English midfielder. With only 18 months left on Gallagher’s current contract and Financial Fair Play regulations necessitating sales before acquisitions, Chelsea seems more amenable to the idea.
According to Sky Sports, talks are progressing, and a deal with Tottenham could materialize soon. Financial constraints at Spurs may prompt them to sell Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Juventus or Atletico Madrid to generate funds for the Gallagher acquisition. There’s even speculation of a potential straight swap involving the two midfielders.
Chelsea has set an asking price of €62 million for Gallagher, emphasizing their priority to reinforce their attacking options. The Blues’ forwards have faced challenges in front of goal this season, with key summer signing Nicolas Jackson struggling to deliver the expected impact.
While Chelsea’s top target is Napoli forward Victor Osimhen, securing a deal in the January window is acknowledged to be challenging. Osimhen, who has scored seven Serie A goals in 12 games this season, is reportedly close to signing a contract extension with Napoli. However, a minimum fee release clause in the summer could open the door for a potential move.
According to Transfermarkt Gallagher’s market value is estimated at €42 million, when Osimhen is worth €110 million.
Chelsea is hopeful that by selling Gallagher to Tottenham for €50 million, they can strengthen their pursuit of Osimhen, who is expected to command a transfer fee in the range of €130-140 million. Although securing Osimhen’s signature in January might be optimistic, the funds generated from Gallagher’s sale could significantly boost Chelsea’s chances in the summer transfer market.
