West Ham United transfer news as Conor Gallagher imagines Chelsea move already
West Ham are in positive talks to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher for a fee of up to £30m according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.
The 23-year-old midfielder is one of a number of names on the radar of the Hammers as they look to begin to replace Declan Rice and according to Plettenberg, both clubs and the player are positive about the move.
Taking to Twitter late on July 17, he wrote: “Conor Gallagher, he’s also on the list of West Ham, next to Goretzka. Talks with the 23-year-old are positive and ongoing.
“Talks are about a transfer fee package between £21m and £30m for Chelsea. Understand the player can really imagine to join West Ham.”
Gallagher featured 35 times in the Premier League last term for the Blues, but as the summer clear out continues at Stamford Bridge, there has always remained an expectation he is one of the many who could end their time in West London.
The Hammers could be set to beat German giants, Borussia Dortmund, to the England international’s signature, with the report desorbing the chances of Gallagher heading abroad as “not hot at this stage.”
A different dimension
What has perhaps been lost in the fallout of Rice’s departure is the fact two thirds of West Ham’s Conference League winning midfield are still at the London Stadium and Lucas Paqueta especially can be considered a nailed on starter next year.
Gallagher brings with him guaranteed work rate not dissimilar to that of Rice, but is more attacking in profile. Perhaps his best football came during his time on loan at Crystal Palace where he managed to score eight goals and assist three times in 34 appearances.
His game is about a lot more than his goal involvements, however. David Moyes side are going to be heading into a congested season with Europa League football on top of all domestic competitions so the energy of Gallagher will be an excellent tool in their arsenal.
However, any attempt to replace Rice is going to require more than just one player. If the link to Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka is also true, that could provide a more exciting midfield alongside Paqueta in hope the Irons can have a better season domestically this term.
In other West Ham news, Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse is the latest midfielder to be linked to the London Stadium