Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher addresses transfer links amid West Ham United and Newcastle interest

Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has spoken about his future amid transfer links with West Ham and Newcastle this summer.

According to the Chronicle [21 June, Page 47], the two Premier League sides are keen and Chelsea are willing to do a deal for a fee in the region of £40million.

Gallagher has not said that he wants to leave but failed to guarantee him staying at Stamford Bridge beyond this summer either.

He said, "It’s been a really tough season for me and the whole team, whole club at Chelsea. So I think we will just be working as hard as we can to get Chelsea back to what it was. It’s nice to finally get to enjoy the summer.

“I will just relax and get ready for pre-season. Mauricio Pochettino is a top manager and I am looking forward to working with him.”

Tad expensive

Gallagher's asking rate is a tad steep and West Ham may be better off looking at other leagues to sign someone in midfield.

They cannot bring in someone as good as Declan Rice, undoubtedly, but signing someone like Gallagher along with a quality holding midfielder could get the best out of Lucas Paqueta.

With Rice leaving, the Brazilian now becomes the best midfielder and arguably best player for Hammers so it makes sense to build a team around him.

He did not have the perfect season but showed signs of promise and with the right players around him, David Moyes can manage to get the best out of Paqueta.

Another player linked with a move to the London Stadium is Fulham's Joao Palhinha and if West Ham can tempt him then that'll be a coup.

A Sky Sports pundit has raved about him and believes that he would be open to moving to East London this summer.