Newcastle United could be busy in the January transfer window.
While FFP issues are believed to linger, Newcastle are expected to target the signing of a central midfielder when the transfer window reopens.
Indeed, the club have only managed to sign two players in that position since the PIF takeover in October 2021. One of those in Sandro Tonali is banned from football until August.
As such, a number of players have been linked.
Kalvin Phillips is perhaps the headline example of that but there could soon be a U-turn on another reported target.
Conor Gallagher: Chelsea could make U-turn on Newcastle transfer target
Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher was touted as a target over the course of the summer.
Still, incoming manager Maurico Pochettino opted to keep the England international at Stamford Bridge and has since handed him the captaincy on a number of occasions, with reports even suggesting he was keen to keep the former Crystal Palace loanee long-term.
Now, however, the Blues could change their stance.
The Daily Mail claim Gallagher, rated at £45m, could be sold in the January transfer window. The 23-year-old is yet to agree a new contract with the club are currently has 18 months left.
As such, figures in west London are said to be arguing that it would make financial sense to sell the player, who would represent pure profit on their balance sheet given his status as an academy graduate.
Conor Gallagher to Newcastle: What Eddie Howe thinks of Chelsea midfielder
Hailed as “fantastic” for his ability to press by England manager Gareth Southgate, Gallagher would certainly be a logical target for Newcastle.
At 23, he has already amassed a decent amount of experience at the top level but has so much of his career ahead of him in a position the club desperately need to strengthen in.
Eddie Howe is believed to be a big fan, too.
Back in July, Ben Jacobs told Caught Offside: “Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher is a player Eddie Howe likes.”
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