'Not accurate!' - Romano delivers latest Gallagher transfer verdict

Peter Staunton
  • 21 Mar 2024 15:01 GMT
  • 3 min read
Conor Gallagher, Chelsea, 2023/24
© IMAGO

Chelsea’s financial fair play and profit and sustainability rules troubles have been well documented.

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The club insist they will remain compliant with UEFA and Premier League rules but it’s been suggested that they need to sell £100 million worth of talent before the end of June.

Recent account filings for BlueCo 22, Chelsea’s parent company, revealed a gaping £90m pre-tax loss in the books of the Stamford Bridge outfit for the period covering March 2, 2022 to June 30, 2023.

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If they do not get their house in order soon, they risk a financial rules breach and, to that end, Conor Gallagher could be sacrificed in the summer window.

The 24-year-old midfielder is contracted until 2025, having signed his long-term deal back in 2020, and so far no new arrangement has been made between the club and the player’s representatives.

Chelsea do not want to lose their homegrown England international for nothing should no deal be agreed and as such he could be sold in the next transfer period.

Tottenham close to signing Gallagher

Tottenham have been named as Gallagher’s most likely suitors and he was reportedly close to joining Ange Postecoglou’s side last summer.

There have been reports recently that Gallagher’s salary demands are proving to be a sticking point in negotiations over a new deal.

It was reported when the former Crystal Palace loanee signed his new contract that he would be earning £50,000.

Now reports suggest he is seeking £150,000 which is too high for the Blues to pay.

Nonetheless, that speculation has been dismissed by Fabrizio Romano in his latest Daily Briefing, and he says Gallagher’s future remains dependent on financial fair play and how Chelsea intend to comply.

Chelsea could look for £50m for Gallagher, which goes a long way towards solving their financial issues.

Romano refutes Gallagher salary claims

“There’s been a lot written about Chelsea in the last 24 hours and I wanted to set the record straight.

“I’m aware that there have been claims about Conor Gallagher’s salary demands being a problem for Chelsea and holding up an agreement over a new contract. My understanding, however, is that it’s not about Gallagher asking for crazy money or anything unreasonable for his new deal.

“What I’m told is that it’s about Chelsea deciding what they want to do with Gallagher and also taking into account the Financial Fair Play situation, but saying that Gallagher is asking for “too high” salary is not accurate as far as I understand.”

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