Crystal Palace are still ‘interested’ in signing Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher in the final days of the January transfer window, according to Dharmesh Sheth.
The Lowdown: Midfield options
Patrick Vieira has limited defensive and central midfield options at Selhurst Park at this moment in time. Summer signing Cheick Doucoure is the only midfielder who is contracted beyond June 2024, with Luka Milivojevic and James McArthur out of contract in the summer.
Jairo Riedewald and Will Hughes are into the final 18 months of their respective deals, and it seems as if Palace are still keen on Gallagher after speculation earlier this month.
The Latest: Gallagher still wanted by Palace
Sky Sports reporter Sheth gave his thoughts on a potential Selhurst Park return for for Palace loanee Gallagher to GiveMeSport, labelling his future as ‘interesting’.
He said that Palace are still interested alongside Newcastle but feels that Chelsea manager Graham Potter may want to keep hold of the 22-year-old beyond Tuesday’s deadline.
Sheth stated: “The Conor Gallagher one is interesting because he’s constantly been linked with a move away from Chelsea. He was definitely linked in the summer and has been linked the whole of this month.
“The likes of Newcastle, the likes of Crystal Palace as well, who would want him back at Selhurst Park, are interested. But he’s been starting games for Chelsea under Graham Potter and I just wonder whether Potter would allow him to leave.
“Remember they have got a few injury problems in central midfield, not least, N’Golo Kante. I just think maybe they want to keep a number of their midfielders at the club just to cover any potential injury issues.”
The Verdict: Could be huge…
Gallagher enjoyed a hugely successful Selhurst Park loan spell last term, winning the club's Player of the Season prize after contributing to 39 appearances.
Still just 22 years of age, the England international was described as a ‘monster’ by Palace-supporting journalist Tom Dutton and can play in a variety of central roles. His Transfermarkt valuation is continuing to rise, and you'd expect that it will keep doing so as he heads towards the prime years of his career.
It seems as if a new midfielder should be high up on Palace's wish list, with Matt Woosnam believing that it is a contributory problem towards the team's lack of goals. Therefore, potentially signing Gallagher - who has already starred for the Eagles before - could be a major coup both in the short-term and the long run.