West Ham United are plotting an audacious loan move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, Michael Bridge has told Sky Sports News (Tuesday 30 August, 7:05 am, via Hammers News).

The lowdown

Transfer insider Dean Jones told GiveMeSport on Sunday that the Hammers intend to 'ask about' Gallagher prior to the transfer deadline.

The England international spent the 2021/22 season on loan at Crystal Palace but has started two of Chelsea's first four matches this season after returning to Stamford Bridge.

It's hardly been an ideal start to the campaign for the 22-year-old, though, with the misery of a 3-0 defeat to Leeds United compounded by a first-half red card against Leicester City last Saturday.

The latest

Bridge corroborated Jones' report and specified that it would be a loan move, contrary to the player's apparent wishes.

Gallagher will have served his one-match ban before the end of the transfer window, with Southampton due to face Chelsea on Tuesday night.

Bridge said live on Sky Sports News this morning: "Conor Gallagher, now, it's been an interesting last couple of games for him.

"He started against Leeds United, probably wasn’t his best game, he’s really trying here and doesn’t want another loan spell, he told me this in July.

"Then he was sent off against Leicester, but that won’t stop Crystal Palace and it won’t stop West Ham from trying to sign him, if he is available on loan."

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The verdict

This would be similar in some respects to the deal for Jesse Lingard in 2021, with West Ham taking an English player from a 'big six' club (Manchester United) on a temporary basis.

That move worked an absolute treat for David Moyes and the Hammers, with Lingard scoring nine times and providing five assists in 16 appearances at the London Stadium.

Gallagher's tricky bedding-in period in west London clearly hasn't put the Irons off, probably because they remember just how good he was last season.

He was named Palace's Player of the Year as they matched their second-highest points tally since returning to the Premier League in 2013, which makes his recent difficulties seem like a mere blip by comparison.