West Ham United dealt transfer blow in bid to sign Conor Gallagher as player sources speak out
West Ham United have been dealt a major blow in their bid to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher after sources close to the player speak out on his Stamford Bridge future.
The Hammers have been identifying several targets to replace the outgoing Declan Rice, with Edson Alvarez, Fulham’s Joao Palhinha, Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse and Juventus’s Denis Zakaria all emerging as David Moyes’ top targets this summer.
The England international has also emerged as a top target for West Ham, with TalkSPORT reporting on 28 May that several Premier League clubs have been alerted to the possibility of signing Gallagher this summer, including the East Londoners.
In fact, according to The Sun [15 June], West Ham boss David Moyes would have preferred Rice to join Chelsea instead of Arsenal so that Gallagher can be used as part of the deal.
However, according to a new development regarding the player’s future at Stamford Bridge, it now seems unlikely West Ham will be able to sign one of their top midfield targets this summer.
According to talkSPORT [6 July] Gallagher is set to reap the benefits of Chelsea’s summer exodus by being handed the chance to prove to new manager Mauricio Pochettino he has a future at the club.
Sources close to the player believe that Gallagher doesn’t want to leave just yet, following Pochettino’s arrival and they believe he could stay at Stamford Bridge and compete for a starting birth.
The England international, once dubbed “extraordinary” by former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has endured a difficult 22/23 campaign at Stamford Bridge, following his decision to remain at the club, despite interest from elsewhere during the January window and last summer.
With the Irons losing Rice this summer, as well as Manuel Lanzini and possibly even Tomas Soucek, it is imperative the club prioritise the signing of an adept and quality midfield player. Gallagher could have represented the ideal man for the Hammers to move past their club captain.
The England international was absolutely superb during his loan spell at Crystal Palace, where he notched eight goals and three assists from 34 Premier League games.
This season, he’s managed three goals and an assist despite Chelsea’s tumultuous campaign highlighting his ability to still contribute in the final third, despite his club’s difficulties.
Gallagher also possesses a skill set that the Hammers desperately lack, especially without Rice, capable of providing a telling influence between both boxes, tremendous tenacious and aggressive edge out of possession, a terrific engine and work-rate as well as his already proven influence in the final third.
It’s a long time since West Ham United possessed a true-goalscoring midfielder or a player with the ability to work his magic between both boxes and the Chelsea midfielder represents the ideal solution.
However, given this latest development surrounding his future at Stamford Bridge and West Ham United seeking a deal for his former teammate at Stamford Bridge and a player of a similar box-to-box profile in Denis Zakaria, a deal for Gallagher’s services now certainly looks incredibly unlikely.
In other West Ham news, one senior club figure is facing an uncertain future at the London Stadium following the appointment of Technical Director Tim Steidten.