Chelsea ready to sell first-team regular in January

Robin Bairner

• 18 Dec 2023 10:05 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea are ready to sell Conor Gallagher during the January transfer window should a suitable offer be received for the player.

Gallagher has played all but one Premier League fixture for the Blues this season, with his only absence caused by suspension.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has even handed the captain’s armband to the 23-year-old academy product on eight occasions, including Saturday’s 2-0 win over Sheffield United.

Although Chelsea have spent millions upgrading their midfield options, Gallagher has started every game but one he has been available for, with the exception an EFL Cup encounter against Brighton.

And despite all this, he remains a player who divides the fanbase. Many believe that he deserves to remain at the club while there is a sizeable community who believe he should go.

Chelsea, meanwhile, see Gallagher as expendable, according to The Athletic.

It is stated: “Sources close to the club, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, say Chelsea are prepared to listen to bids next month.”

Life after Chelsea for Gallagher

During the summer, Chelsea fielded interest from Tottenham, West Ham and Newcastle, while at the beginning of 2023, the Blues sought to offload Gallagher to Everton as they spent a record fee bringing Enzo Fernandez to the club from Benfica.

It is unclear whether any of the Blues’ summer suitors might come back in for Gallagher during January.

Gallagher has spent his whole career on the books of Chelsea but has had four previous loan moves, playing at Charlton and Swansea for periods during 2019/20 before season-long deals with West Brom and Crystal Palace.

He has featured on 64 occasions for Chelsea, scoring three goals and created five more.

His Estimated Transfer Value is currently €24 million, but this figure peaked at €44m last season. His value has slid because he is in the last 18 months of his contract, giving Pochettino's side less bargaining power over his future.

Chelsea, though, would be unlikely to sell for this type of figure but if they could get something around his peak valuation it could make them think.