Long-term West Ham and Tottenham target Conor Gallagher is poised to open contract talks with Chelsea, sources have told Football Insider.
Both London clubs were interested in signing the 23-year-old during the summer window, but a move failed to materialise.
The England international has even worn the armband in Chelsea’s recent Premier League games in the injury absence of appointed skipper Reece James.
This twist comes as a blow to the Blues’ London rivals, who could now be forced to explore alternative targets in 2024.
Gallagher’s current deal, which nets him a reported wage of £50,000-a-week, is set to expire in June 2025.
He has been a regular starter in almost every Chelsea game this season, only missing out in the Blues’ recent League Cup win over Brighton.
The 23-year-old is also now a regular for England and was called up to the latest squad to face Australia and Italy this month.
Gallagher has turned out nine times for the Three Lions and has featured in five of their last six games ahead of next year’s European Championships in Germany.
He made his breakthrough at Stamford Bridge last term after a loan spell at Crystal Palace in the previous campaign, notching three goals and one assist in 45 games across all competitions.
The Chelsea youth product has made 106 appearances in the Premier League, registering 13 goals and six assists.
