Newcastle United might have a real battle on their hands if they want to sign Conor Gallagher from Chelsea this summer.
The Magpies were linked with him back in May, and were also credited with an interest in 2020.
Gallagher has clearly impressed a lot of people at St James’ Park, with the Sun claiming that Newcastle are interested in a loan or permanent move this summer.
However, they also stated that the midfielder wants to stay and fight for his place at Chelsea.
But could he now be off to Crystal Palace?
According to the Sun, the Eagles are set to offer £15million for the midfielder.
Palace desperately need reinforcements, with a plethora of players leaving on frees.
£15million is a decent wedge of cash for a man with only one season of Premier League experience under his belt. And it was a year that ended in relegation at West Brom.
But Gallagher played well at the Hawthorns, leading to multiple Premier League clubs wanting to sign him.
However, his dreams of playing a role at Chelsea might be a stretch.
Should Newcastle match Crystal Palace’s reported Conor Gallagher offer?
If Palace really are going to offer £15million, Newcastle need to make their stance clear pretty soon.
Even with talk of a £50million transfer budget, Gallagher would prove to be an expensive signing.
It’s clear Newcastle need midfield reinforcements this summer, but most supporters would rather see us push the boat out for Joe Willock.
A loan deal would perhaps be better from Newcastle’s point of view, but Chelsea are hardly going to accept that if they’ve got £15million on the table from Palace.
Gallagher isn’t the only Chelsea player Newcastle are interested in signing on loan, though.
The Northern Echo claimed last month that the Magpies were keen on Billy Gilmour or Tammy Abraham.
Of course, you can only sign one player from each club on loan, therefore Newcastle can’t complete deals for all three.
Out of that trio, Gilmour feels like the best option.
Abraham seems more likely to leave permanently, while Gallagher has £15million interest from Selhurst Park.
But Gilmour clearly has a future at Chelsea – he just needs more minutes under his belt. He’s the Chelsea man that Newcastle should be pursuing on loan.
While Newcastle have been interested in Gallagher for two years on the bounce, it would not be the end of the world seeing him complete a £15million move to Palace.
With a questionable transfer budget, Steve Bruce’s money is better spent elsewhere.
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