Everton make £45m offer for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher within an HOUR of Sean Dyche being appointed… but the England star would prefer a move to Newcastle or a ‘Big Six’ club if he’s to leave Stamford Bridge
Everton have made a bold £40m-plus bid for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, but the midfielder has no desire to go.
The offer – which includes £5m in add-ons – comes within an hour of Sean Dyche being formally appointed Everton manager.
The England international has been determined to fight for a place at Chelsea but with talks ongoing over a £106m deal for Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez, the club will have to recoup funds.
Everton have launched a £45million offer to sign midfielder Conor Gallagher from Chelsea
It comes within an hour of Sean Dyche being formally announced as the new Toffees manager
Selling a homegrown player such as Gallagher would give them the greater profit margin, but the 22-year-old would like not move to a club ranked outside the top six.
Everton wanted to sign Gallagher previously when Frank Lampard – who was the midfielder’s boyhood idol – was manager, but the Goodison club’s precarious position in the table means talks now are a non-starter.
Newcastle United may now be encouraged to make their move but, owing to Financial Fair Play (FFP), they will most likely only be able to offer a loan with obligation and must see if that will satisfy Chelsea’s needs.
While Eddie Howe is a big admirer, Newcastle would need to put together a loan offer in with an obligation of at least £45m – the exact fee that Anthony Gordon was bought from Everton for.
Chelsea will decide what to do with Gallagher soon, with several clubs keen on the 22-year-old
Other top sides are maintaining interest but with their plans to bid in the summer.
This window, Chelsea have received enquiries from Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Crystal Palace and Everton for Gallagher.
Gallagher spent last season on loan at Crystal Palace but returned to his parent club at the start of the summer to pursue a regular first-team place at Stamford Bridge.
The 22-year-old flourished under Patrick Vieira last term, scoring eight goals and registering three assists to help Palace to a mid-table finish.
Having returned to Stamford Bridge, it was understood Gallagher had no desire to leave Chelsea while he is still being selected to represent the first team.