West Ham United suffer new setback in Conor Gallagher chase as Mauricio Pochettino pours cold water on Chelsea exit links
West Ham United have suffered a potential setback in their attempts to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher after Mauricio Pochettinho’s new admission.
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 and the Hammers had a £40million total bid rejected [Fabrizio Romano, 25 July] for the 23-year-old, who seemingly appeared to be available this summer amid a major clear out from Stamford Bridge.
TalkSPORT reported on 6 July that Gallagher is set to reap the benefits of Chelsea’s summer exodus by being handed the chance to prove to new manager Pochettino he has a future at the club.
And in a new development at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino admitted Chelsea’s plans to sign a new midfielder are proving difficult and Gallagher remains a part of his plans at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking at a press conference in Atlanta on [via Sky Sports News, 26 July] Pochettino said: “At the moment, we are working to reinforce that area, and other areas also.
“I think the players that are here on the tour are in our plans, Chelsea’s plans. We are working very hard to try to add more players in different areas and hope that is possible soon.
“Conor is in our plans, I was talking with him the first day I arrived. In football, things can happen we cannot manage. At the moment, I am happy with him and his performance, he has two years on his contract. We have nothing to say.”
The Argentinian boss also dropped a major hint regarding Gallagher’s desire regarding a potential move away, stating that the England international among other his key players are committed to the new Chelsea project handing West Ham United a potential dampener in their attempts to lure him away from West London.
The England international, once dubbed “extraordinary” by former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel endured a difficult 22/23 campaign at Stamford Bridge and at the end of the season, it seemed as if his future lay elsewhere.
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 still represents 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 but after Pochettino’s comments, it remains to be seen whether the Irons will prove successful in their attempts to sign him.
West Ham certainly face a tough race against time to seal their prospective Rice replacement.
In other West Ham news, the Irons have submitted their first offer for Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse