Chelsea Manager Pochettino Confirms Gallagher’s Role as West Ham Bid Gets Rejected
New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has expressed his intention to keep midfielder Conor Gallagher as part of his plans for the upcoming season, despite interest from West Ham. Pochettino, who recently took charge of Chelsea, has affirmed that Gallagher is an integral part of his squad moving forward.
In response to West Ham’s attempts to secure Gallagher’s services, Pochettino stated, Gallagher is in our plans. In football, things happen that we can’t always control, but I am happy with him. The Argentine manager’s comments were reported by reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Furthermore, when questioned about the possibility of signing new midfielders, Pochettino hinted that another addition to the midfield would be beneficial. At least we need one more. We are working on that. It depends on what happens in the next few weeks. The club is actively addressing this matter, he revealed.
According to Romano, Chelsea rejected West Ham’s initial bid of approximately £40 million, including add-ons, for Gallagher on Tuesday. The Blues are holding out for their asking price of £50 million to be met before considering any potential transfer.
Discussions regarding West Ham’s bid for Gallagher were conducted between Pochettino and the Chelsea hierarchy. Given the club’s existing shortage of midfielders, it comes as no surprise that the Blues chose to turn down West Ham’s offer unless their desired valuation is met.
While Chelsea have been linked with Brighton’s Moises Caicedo as a potential new midfield signing, progress on that front has stalled in recent weeks. Should the Blues secure the Ecuadorian star, it would still be wise to retain Gallagher in order to bolster squad depth. The 23-year-old has proven his abilities in the Premier League, and selling him would require Chelsea to find a suitable replacement.
In conclusion, Pochettino’s confirmation of Gallagher’s importance to Chelsea’s plans presents a clear statement from the new manager. As the club continues to negotiate potential midfield additions, Gallagher’s future remains secure, barring a significant offer that meets Chelsea’s valuation.
