Newcastle United could well be eyeing a late move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, according to the latest reports.
What’s the word?
As per Keith Downie, the Magpies are said to still be keen on the 22-year-old, with the England international – who has been a long-time target for the Tyneside club – a potential replacement for Nottingham Forest-bound Jonjo Shelvey.
Writing on Twitter regarding that interest, the Sky Sports reporter stated: “Newcastle remain interested in Conor Gallagher, despite being rebuffed previously. Chelsea need to offload players before deadline, but it remains to be seen if one is Gallagher, or indeed if Chelsea change tact & want to deal with #NUFC. Gallagher understood to be happy at #CFC”.
Downie then added: “Eddie Howe wants to bring in a loan midfielder to replace Jonjo Shelvey – but knows it’ll be difficult with just over a day to go. Sander Berge a more likely option. The club are trying – but may have to go with what they have #NUFC”.
This comes amid claims that relegation strugglers Everton have lodged an offer of around £40m for the Chelsea playmaker, albeit with the player seemingly not interested in a move to Goodison Park.
Dan Burn 2.0
The Blues may well have reservations about helping to bolster Eddie Howe‘s push for the top four by agreeing to a loan exit for Gallagher, but if a move can be secured, it would represent yet another January masterclass for the Tynesiders.
It was only a year ago that Newcastle – aided by the club’s change in ownership – enjoyed a hectic end to the winter transfer window, having notably secured the deadline day signing of Dan Burn from Brighton and Hove Albion for a fee of around £13m.
That deal has since proved a real bargain as far as the St James’ Park outfit are concerned, with the towering centre-back having already racked up 36 Premier League appearances in that time. He initially proved vital in staving off the drop in the second half of last season, before playing an integral role in Newcastle’s surge for Champions League qualification this time around.
The Blyth-born powerhouse has started 19 of the Magpies’ 20 league games this season as a marker of his importance to the team, having helped to form part of a simply impenetrable backline which has shipped just 11 league goals in the current campaign past the halfway point.
Howe and co notably saw the benefit of bringing in a January arrival who was well accustomed to the Premier League and could make an instant impact, with the hope being that Gallagher could follow in Burn’s footsteps and swiftly cement himself in the team at St James’ Park.
The dynamic Chelsea “monster” – as described by journalist Tom Dutton – would add a real energetic and relentless spark to the Magpies’ midfield, showcased by his ranking in the top 14% in Europe among those in his position for dribbles completed, as well as in the top 7% for progressive passes received.
Those eye-catching statistics indicate that the former Crystal Palace loanee – who scored eight goals and provided three assists in the league during his time at Selhurst Park last season – is a player who can drive his team forward with an incisive pass or a surging run from deep.
While he has only scored once and provided one assist back at Stamford Bridge so far this term, the Epsom-born gem has struggled for a consistent run in the side after starting just nine league games, hence the potential need to secure a move to pastures new.
Whether St James’ Park is his next destination remains to be seen, but if he can prove as influential as the aforementioned Burn, then Howe and PIF will be onto a winner.
