and Hojberg and Skipp - and bring better in - whoopeee !!!!!
Transfers - Summer 2024
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Tottenham to launch Conor Gallagher move in summer if Chelsea contract unresolved
Exclusive: Despite talks, Telegraph Sport understands there remains no significant progress over a new contract for the midfielder
Matt Law, Football News Correspondent 13 February 2024 • 6:02pm
Tottenham Hotspur are to make a move for Conor Gallagher at the end of the season if the midfielder has still not agreed a new contract with Chelsea.
And Chelsea face a “nightmare” dilemma over a player who could have left in the last three transfer windows. According to one expert, the 24-year-old’s transfer value is falling as his contract runs towards its final 12 months, but his salary profile is increasing.
Chelsea may also find they cannot be so choosy over Gallagher’s potential destination should his contract remain unresolved, having previously encouraged deals with the likes of Everton, West Ham United, Fulham and Brighton, ahead of Spurs and Newcastle United.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino described 24-year-old Gallagher as being “priceless” following the midfielder’s two-goal performance against Crystal Palace, the club he spent a season on loan at.
Despite talks, Telegraph Sport understands there remains no significant progress over a new contract for Gallagher, who Chelsea accepted two bids from Everton for in January 2023, included on a list of available players last summer and did not rule out selling in this year’s January transfer window.
The expectation remains that Chelsea will make Gallagher some sort of contract offer to extend his deal, but an agreement is still far from certain.
Chelsea opened the door for Gallagher to move to Everton in a deal worth £45 million just over a year ago, but the player was not interested in swapping Stamford Bridge for Goodison Park.
Newcastle United also expressed an interest in Gallagher during the same window, but, believing they could catch Eddie Howe’s team for a top-four place, Chelsea did not want to help a perceived rival at the time.
West Ham United made a similar verbal offer to Everton’s last summer, but Gallagher was reluctant to move to the London Stadium, while Tottenham’s interest was firmed up too close to the end of the summer window.
It is understood that while Gallagher was believed to have been made available to the likes of West Ham, Brighton and Fulham last summer, the club were more reluctant to sell him to the likes of Spurs and Liverpool.
When Spurs finally enquired about Gallagher a few days before last summer’s transfer window shut, they were quoted a price over £50 million which made a late deal impossible.
Postecoglou a Gallagher fan
Tottenham did not follow up that interest this January, when Pochettino revealed that Gallagher informed him that he wanted to stay at the club which he first joined as an eight-year-old.But Spurs are ready to make a firm move for Gallagher at the end of the season if his contract has not been extended by the summer, when industry experts believe Chelsea will have little choice than to consider selling him to a rival for a relatively modest fee or hand him a new deal with wages higher than they had previously bargained for.
Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou is a huge fan of Gallagher and believes he could perfectly fit into his energetic style, while the club’s technical director, Johan Lange, tried to sign the player for his former club Aston Villa some years ago.
Asked to price up Gallagher for Telegraph Sport, a top sporting director, who does not work for Chelsea or any of the clubs interested in signing the England international, said: “With a year remaining on his contract, clubs will value Gallagher at around £30 million to £35 million, which is a lot less than Chelsea will feel he is worth.”
But while his transfer value may be declining in the eyes of Chelsea’s rivals, his salary profile is going up, according to the sporting director, who added: “Given he has captained Chelsea, has been one of of their best players this season and is an England international, then he is worth around £150,000-a-week.
“That potentially puts Chelsea in a nightmare position. They might have to pay Gallagher around £150,000-a-week, which from the outside looks like more than they want to pay players, to agree a new contract with him or sell him to a club they would rather not do business for less than they had previously hoped to get for him.”
It has been interesting that while Reece James and Levi Colwill were swiftly handed new lucrative contracts, Chelsea have been much more reluctant to give Gallagher a new deal up to now.
The player did not enjoy his best season last term, when virtually all of Chelsea’s players struggled, but he has been Pochettino’s go-to man during this campaign, starting more Premier League games under the Argentine (23) than any other player at the club.
Gallagher is first for games started, joint-first for games played and third for total minutes under Pochettino. He also ranks first of Chelsea’s players for tackles, interceptions, possession won, possession won in the final third, duels won, fouls conceded and fouls won. He is second for assists, chances created and chances created from open play.
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However, despite the 'exclusive' above....
here's Poch's take on it:
"He’s from Chelsea’s academy, he’ll want to stay and fight for his place at Chelsea.”
Gallagher was in the headlines on Monday evening after scoring a crucial double in the Blues' 3-1 win over Crystal Palace. One of the topics of discussion when Mauricio Pochettino was speaking to the media after the game, the Argentine was asked about Gallagher remaining at the club in January and if he would like him to sign a new contract.
"What he told me was to stay at Chelsea," said Pochettino. "But then it's about him and the club. But I'm not suffering with this type of thing; he still has one year more on his contract. But I think that is a matter for him and the club."
Pochettino also hailed Gallagher as "priceless" after having an integral role in his Chelsea team this campaign.
"He's a player with great commitment with the team," he explained. "Always trying to compensate every situation in an offensive and defensive situation and that is priceless to have a player like him.
here's Poch's take on it:
"He’s from Chelsea’s academy, he’ll want to stay and fight for his place at Chelsea.”
Gallagher was in the headlines on Monday evening after scoring a crucial double in the Blues' 3-1 win over Crystal Palace. One of the topics of discussion when Mauricio Pochettino was speaking to the media after the game, the Argentine was asked about Gallagher remaining at the club in January and if he would like him to sign a new contract.
"What he told me was to stay at Chelsea," said Pochettino. "But then it's about him and the club. But I'm not suffering with this type of thing; he still has one year more on his contract. But I think that is a matter for him and the club."
Pochettino also hailed Gallagher as "priceless" after having an integral role in his Chelsea team this campaign.
"He's a player with great commitment with the team," he explained. "Always trying to compensate every situation in an offensive and defensive situation and that is priceless to have a player like him.
TQ2Spurs
Vital Champions League
I see the PL agreed to Ratcliffe making a cash injection, was it £200m? Do you think this will be used for transfers or improvements to infrastructure?
Spursex
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It's all for repairing/upgrading infrastructure; Manure S&P limits are now for the moment clear to see, they have to sell a few players to spend again in the summer - their dreadful spending over the last few years has really caught up with them.
And of course to fund new appoints and give them room to make strategic decisions again:
steveperryman
Vital Football Legend
Utd will as ever spend big.
If we can attract either one of the prospects highlighted we'll be all the stronger for it.
People often question why join spurs. I don't believe that's valid any more.
If we can attract either one of the prospects highlighted we'll be all the stronger for it.
People often question why join spurs. I don't believe that's valid any more.
Spursex
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It still is a valid question - until we show we can bank some silverware, players will always think twice about it.
Sockspurs
Vital 1st Team Regular
Everton meltdown over this is hilarious.
He's a very good player, but should we be dropping that amount on another CB before other areas?
steveperryman
Vital Football Legend
I'm not so sure it is any longer. The game has changed, where European football is viewed as the be all & end all for some. We're an exciting prospect & a team that can compete with the very best, we have proven that to be the case. Obviously the next stop is silverware. That will surely come with the growth of the club over the last few years. That doesn't look like it'll be slowing down anytime soon either.
Littlest Hobo
Vital 1st Team Regular
Local lad to me. Nothing but good things said about him around these parts and from what i am seeing he is developing well and learning his trade from an absolute pro in Tarkowski (sp). Biggest bonus is my local cash strapped club have what is thought to be between 25 & 30 % sell on clause in his contract. If he moves anywhere it will fund major developments at our club.
Pompey Yid
Vital Champions League
LH that's nice to hear, smaller clubs benefitting from sell on's, and really that's how it should be.
muttley
Alert Team
As a club, we talk about transfers in and out. Imagine you're an international manager like Southgate. All you have to do is pick these players and put them into a tactical setup that suits them.
Southgate could easily put Guehi, Branthwaite and Colwill in the same England squad alongside the experienced Stones. He could almost justify Rico Lewis as his best LB over Shaw and Chilwell. He now sees an absolute prime Madds, whilst Cole Palmer has emerged. Gallagher can easily now replace Hendo and add provide that type of resilience into the squad. These new players are a great addition to the amazing kids, Saka and Bellingham. Even Toney seems a very adequate replacement for the ageing Kane. James definitely is for Walker when fit as well.
It really should be like a game of fantasy football for Gareth. Only he can mess this up with the talent pool available.
Southgate could easily put Guehi, Branthwaite and Colwill in the same England squad alongside the experienced Stones. He could almost justify Rico Lewis as his best LB over Shaw and Chilwell. He now sees an absolute prime Madds, whilst Cole Palmer has emerged. Gallagher can easily now replace Hendo and add provide that type of resilience into the squad. These new players are a great addition to the amazing kids, Saka and Bellingham. Even Toney seems a very adequate replacement for the ageing Kane. James definitely is for Walker when fit as well.
It really should be like a game of fantasy football for Gareth. Only he can mess this up with the talent pool available.
muttley
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lol - that guy should be in his 4th or 5th season for Spurs.
Spursex
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Take it with a pinch of salt; Barca are doing what they always do, trying to create a dutch auction; his current deal ends in '26, so that mystical 2-year low water mark is in view.
They have made him a new offer; but the new offer is actually a reduction on his on-going wages and the difference is all pushed to the end of contract loyalty bonuses - so his agent is making some clubs aware he may be for sale come the summer...
Reportedly, it is Chelsea and Manure who want to get him; his asking price is around 100 million Euro's, he's 26 so in 'old' valuation terms and if he were fit and playing well (and he isn't) the ask is not unreasonable.
the more clubs interested, the more his agents can push up his personal terms ask...
We only come into this equation, as our financial strength means that when the Spanish press report all this, our name is a very credible one.
The front-runners before was manure because of Ten Haag - I expect they still are.
Let's not forget, when the financials got tough for Barca two years ago there was a vicious media campaign to try and force him to leave as his near €721,154-per-week a week deal was deemed madness!
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TQ2Spurs
Vital Champions League
Yes, I've always assumed that United would be an obvious destination due to EtH.
Kane is doing everything right to retain his starting place.
