According to a report from The Sun, West Ham United remain determined in their pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, even after having their initial bid turned down. The Hammers made an offer of £37 million and an additional £3 million in add-ons to Chelsea for the talented England midfielder.
However, the Blues are holding firm on their valuation and are seeking a fee closer to £50 million for Gallagher’s services. Negotiations between the two clubs are set to continue, with West Ham showing some reluctance to surpass their £40 million threshold for the player who previously had a successful loan spell at Crystal Palace.
Gallagher’s Challenging Season At Stamford Bridge
During the previous campaign, Gallagher faced difficulties in maintaining consistent performances at the heart of Chelsea’s midfield. The 23-year-old scored three goals and provided one assist in 45 matches for the Blues across all competitions.
Most of Gallagher’s appearances came as a substitute, which may have contributed to his relatively lower statistics in the Premier League. On average, he recorded 0.8 shots, 0.6 key passes, and 0.7 dribbles per game. Additionally, his passing accuracy from midfield was cautious, completing 84.5% of his attempted passes in the top tier of English football, according to statistics from whoscored.
Should Pochettino Accept The Offer From West Ham United?
Gallagher brings an abundance of energy to the midfield’s heart and can unleash powerful strikes from long-range. His vision allows him to craft inviting chances for his teammates in the final third, making him a valuable playmaker on the pitch.
The English sensation also showcases adept dribbling skills, particularly when he exudes confidence in his game. While primarily functioning as a box-to-box midfielder, Gallagher’s versatility shines through as he can adeptly transition into roles as an attacking midfielder or even a defensive midfielder, adapting to the demands of his manager’s tactics.
Gallagher still possesses significant room for improvement and undeniably holds the potential to reach the highest echelons of football. Nevertheless, due to the intensified competition in Chelsea’s midfield, the English talent has not been granted enough opportunities to showcase his abilities fully. With his contract extending until 2025, the West London club is under no immediate pressure to sell him this summer.
However, if West Ham decides to raise their offer and come closer to the £50 million valuation set by Chelsea, Mauricio Pochettino, the manager, may consider sanctioning Gallagher’s exit by accepting the deal. This could allow the talented midfielder to further develop and shine at another club while the Blues benefit financially.
