'Negotiations underway' - Chelsea in talks to sell Pochettino favourite

Tom Weber

• Updated: 30 Dec 2023 10:24 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea are officially in talks with Tottenham over the transfer of Conor Gallagher, according to a report.

The Blues are trying to raise funds for a big January window. Their inconsistency this term under Mauricio Pochettino has illustrated that mainly signing high-potential youngsters won't immediately yield results and there have been suggestions that the Argentine coach has asked his higher-ups to ditch this policy.

Pochettino wants more established stars who can contribute immediately, unlike many of Chelsea's recent arrivals. Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke - all of whom were signed in 2023 - have thus far failed to live up to the hype, leaving the club stranded in mid-table.

Big-name players, however, don't come cheap, especially mid-season. Having thus far spent north of €1 billion since the Todd Boehly takeover, the Blues will need to sell to buy to some extent and they are now ready to cash in on their best midfielder.

Chelsea and Spurs in Gallagher talks

Though it would be extremely foolish to sell him, the Blues are in talks with Tottenham over Conor Gallagher, according to Sky Sports' transfer expert Di Marzio. The fee required is said to be in the region of €40 million.

Gallagher has been a key player for the past two seasons, at times wearing the captain's armband under Pochettino this term, but it seems he is someone Chelsea are willing to sacrifice. The Cobham academy graduate was already linked with an exit in the summer.

The report asserts that "negotiations are underway," but how exactly Tottenham will pay for the midfielder remains to be seen. Recent reports have suggested that Spurs won't be able to spend big in January and their main priority is reinforcing their decimated defence, something Ange Postecoglou has repeatedly made clear in public statements.