Mauricio Pochettino now has a plan to stop Newcastle signing 23-year-old from Chelsea next year

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While Newcastle United are considering signing another midfielder, Chelsea are making plans to ensure one of their own does not head to the North East.

The Magpies look set to be active in the January transfer window, as they look for a replacement for Sandro Tonali. The 23-year-old looks set to receive a ban after being investigated by the Italian Football Federation for betting.

That could force Eddie Howe to sign a new midfielder, and one player who is a long-term target for Newcastle United is Conor Gallagher.

Since the days of Steve Bruce, Gallagher has been linked with Newcastle. The rumours have continued into Eddie Howe’s tenure, but a deal has never been possible – despite the 23-year-old often struggling for minutes at Stamford Bridge.

That has now changed under Mauricio Pochettino, and the new Chelsea manager has a plan to keep Gallagher at Stamford Bridge and away from Newcastle or any other Premier League club.

Chelsea plan to stop Newcastle or anyone else signing Conor Gallagher

According to TEAMTalk, Chelsea are set to hold talks with Gallagher regarding his future in West London.

The report states that Pochettino has been impressed by the England international, and plans to keep him in the squad even when some of his bigger names return from injury.

Gallagher has captained Chelsea on multiple occasions this season, and the report states that he is very keen to remain with the Blues.

That appears to be what Pochettino wants too, and now Chelsea are set to re-open discussions with Gallagher about his future, with his contract due to expire in 2025. They are looking to protect his value, so will either get him to sign a new contract or sell him.

TEAMTalk name Newcastle as one of the clubs that could make a move for Gallagher in 2024, alongside Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton And Hove Albion and West Ham United.

Given his increased role at Stamford Bridge, it feels likely that Gallagher will remain in West London.

That means Eddie Howe will have to look elsewhere for a new midfielder, if he genuinely was keen on a fresh move for a player he has failed to sign during the previous three transfer windows.