Conor Gallagher drops big hint over Chelsea future as new Tottenham transfer rivals emerge

Conor Gallagher claims he is ‘really excited’ to work with new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, with the England midfielder strongly suggesting he wants to stay at Stamford Bridge beyond the summer transfer deadline.

The Blues could look to cash in on Gallagher as he approaches the final year of his contract. As a graduate of the academy, selling him could be accounted for as pure profit in Chelsea’s books, which would make complying with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) significantly easier.

Aston Villa and Tottenham have been strongly linked with Gallagher in recent weeks. According to TuttoMercatoWeb, La Liga giants Atletico Madrid are also in the frame as they look to bolster their midfield options.

But Gallagher is a boyhood Chelsea fan and he made it clear, after playing all of England’s 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday night, that he wants to stay in west London to work under new manager Maresca.

“[The appointment] is really exciting,” the 24-year-old told Sky Sports. “I’ve heard and seen really good things. Myself and everyone at Chelsea are really excited to work with him. We want to get Chelsea back to where they belong so with the new manager we can progress to get where we belong.”

Maresca is something of an unknown quantity, having never managed in one of Europe’s big five leagues, but his progressive style of football saw Leicester romp to the Championship title last season.

In spite of Gallagher’s desire to stay with the Blues, his future may be in other people’s hands. Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly recently made it clear that he intends not to allow players to run down their contracts and leave for free.

Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum last month, Boehly said: “The reality is, in European football, a seven-year contract is really a five-year contract because you are never going to let a contract expire to the last year. You’re either going to extend the contract or see what’s best for the player and the club.”

Gallagher isn’t the only homegrown talent at risk of being axed by Chelsea’s sporting directors this summer. With Tosin Adarabioyo on the verge of signing as a free agent, fellow defender Trevoh Chalobah is seemingly bound for a new challenge.

Armando Broja is also set to be auctioned off after a disappointing loan spell at Fulham. Clubs in the Premier League and across Europe are keeping tabs on the striker, with Chelsea hoping to raise £30million through his sale.