Transfers: England man expected to leave as Newcastle line up move

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Newcastle United look ready to strengthen in midfield this summer.

Since the takeover, Bruno Guimaraes is the only player in the position to have been signed, such was the need to strengthen pretty much everywhere else.

Now, however, things are changing.

Arguably the bulk of the players – and there have been a lot of them – linked with a move to Newcastle have been midfielders.

Gabri Veiga, Dominik Szoboszlai and Scott McTominay have been all touted as targets.

Recently, there has been a development on another.

Conor Gallagher now expected to leave Chelsea amid claims Newcastle want to sign him

Indeed, football.london claim Conor Gallagher is expected to leave Chelsea this summer.

Newcastle are reportedly weighing up a move for the England international but there’s a problem.

Further reports suggest the 23-year-old could be valued at as high as £50m by those at Stamford Bridge, with Newcastle thought to value Gallagher at around half of that.

The player is said to be expected to call an end to his time in west London and both West Ham and Liverpool have also been credited with an interest.

Incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino is believed to be keen to trim Chelsea’s squad down and Gallagher could be an outgoing.

Gallagher might not be what Newcastle are looking for

Though hailed as a “perfect” signing by pundit Ally McCoist, Newcastle surely have other midfield priorities.

The club are said to know Guimaraes was playing outside of his best position for much of the season just gone, with the Brazilian operating in a deeper role due to Jonjo Shelvey’s injury and subsequent exit.

While strength in depth is obviously a good thing ahead of the Champions League campaign, the recruitment team should surely prioritise a move for a more recognised defensive option over Gallagher.

Guimaraes has publicly said he wishes to play further forward and much of Gallagher’s career appearances have come in a more advanced role.

Ideally, someone to unleash Guimaraes would arrive first.