Newcastle United have reportedly been in talks with Chelsea about signing Conor Gallagher on loan this summer.
That’s according to i News, who state that the midfielder is someone who the Magpies are interested in signing from Chelsea. They also name Callum Hudson-Odoi, while we have also been linked with Armando Broja and Christian Pulisic.
Given how many players we are rumoured to be interested in, it would be a surprise if we don’t sign someone from Chelsea in the next few weeks.
And while we still need a striker and a winger, a move for centre-midfielder Gallagher would potentially be a game-changer in the middle of the park.
We already have an impressive midfield, but the 22-year-old would make it even better.
Newcastle’s midfield would be amazing with Gallagher in it
Eddie Howe’s side started the new season with victory against Nottingham Forest last weekend. He started with Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Willock in midfield, and the trio were dominant. The two Brazilians in particular were exceptional – arguably our two best players on the day.
Willock impressed too, and was probably the player who benefitted from Jonjo Shelvey’s injury. Given the shape he’s in, he surely would have started last week. But he’s now out for the next few months.
Newcastle also have Sean Longstaff in reserve, who is a solid Premier League player on his day. When he’s on song he’s a real asset in the middle of the park. Then there’s Elliot Anderson, who appears to be on the brink of a breakout season.
Howe already has some great options to pick from in midfield. Those options would be even greater if Gallagher joined. And he’s the type of player who would suit us perfectly.
He was excellent at Crystal Palace last season, and showcased so many sides to his game. The most talked about was his goalscoring, with Gallagher finding the net eight times during his loan spell. That would benefit Newcastle, who don’t want to just rely on Callum Wilson for goals.
But Gallagher also has brilliant energy and can go box to box, which is what Howe wants from his players. The fitter Newcastle get, the more we are pressing. We were relentless on Saturday against Forest, not giving the newly promoted side a rest in possession.
If Gallagher signed, he would surely be a starter alongside Joelinton and Bruno. Then we would have Shelvey, Willock, Longstaff and Anderson in reserve.
You could make a very strong argument that that is the best midfield outside of the traditional big six. The likes of Leicester and West Ham have great players in Youri Tielemans and Declan Rice, but wouldn’t boast that kind of depth.
We would have the quality, headlined by Bruno, and a plethora of options and combinations.
Newcastle already have a strong midfield. Gallagher would make it amazing, so let’s hope talk of a loan move turns into a reality.