Chelsea not keen to strengthen direct rivals by selling midfield star

Chelsea don’t want to strengthen their rivals by loaning Conor Gallagher to Newcastle United

According to The Northern Echo, Chelsea won’t loan Conor Gallagher out to Newcastle United on deadline day as they do not want to strengthen their direct rivals.

Newcastle have been pushing to sign Gallagher as a replacement for Jonjo Shelvey in midfield. The latter has signed a permanent deal with Nottingham Forest.

The Magpies are looking for a loan move, with an option/obligation to buy in the summer. Chelsea have no idea what to do with Gallagher as they still have no definite conclusion regarding the Enzo Fernandez deal from Benfica. But, they are adamant that the England international won’t go to Newcastle.

Eddie Howe’s men, third in the league table, 10 points clear of Chelsea, are seen as a rival for the Blues in their quest to finish in the top four. So, letting go of Gallagher would obviously strengthen the Magpies in the midfield department.

Apart from the north-east club, the 22-year-old is a subject of interest from Crystal Palace. Since the Eagles are not in the race top-four race, the player could move back to Selhurst Park before the transfer window deadline.

Gallagher spent the last season on loan with Patrick Vieira’s men and delivered excellent performances. He scored eight goals and assisted three in 34 league appearances during his time in south London.

The Chelsea youth product has struggled for regular game time for the senior side this season, featuring 18 times in the league, but only amassing 737 minutes.

More Chelsea News:

• Chelsea make an approach to sign Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella
• Chelsea are aiming to make one last lunge in the hopes of signing Moises Caicedo from Brighton Hove & Albion
• Tottenham Hotspur will sign Chelsea U21 forward Jude Soonsup-Bell in the January transfer window

Having let go of Jorginho to Arsenal, it would not make sense to allow Gallagher to leave irrespective of the outcome of the Fernandez deal. Chelsea could do with numbers in midfield, even if they want to get rid of the player now.