Chelsea starlet Conor Gallagher’s rise towards first-team contention at Stamford Bridge appears to be set in stone. After receiving his first taste of Premier League football with West Bromwich Albion last term, the Cobham academy graduate is now enjoying a spell on-loan with Crystal Palace.
His period at Selhurst Park could arguably not be going better having netted eight goals, as well as providing eight assists under Arsenal icon Patrick Vieira. His form across the capital has been good enough to see him earn more opportunities for the England national side - an opportunity that he certainly took with both hands in the Three Lions’ 2-1 victory against Switzerland at Wembley Stadium.
Whilst the 22-year-old looks likely to be handed an opportunity at Stamford Bridge under Thomas Tuchel, there are still some tricky questions to answer over his future. Due to his hot form, Palace are understandably keen to keep him at Selhurst Park for the foreseeable future.
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However, they face competition should they try to strike a permanent deal. It has been reported that Jose Mourinho ’s Roma are keen to sign Gallagher having found success with former Chelsea man Tammy Abraham - the striker having netted on 23 occasions during his debut season in the Italian capital.
For any transfer to go through though, either Palace or Roma are set to pay a premium for Gallagher’s services. As it stands, the midfielder is valued at £19.8m by transfermarkt but it might be expected that Chelsea could charge a little more considering their recent business.
Take Abraham’s own move to the Stadio Olimpico for example. He was valued at £34.2m at the time of the move but Chelsea managed to negotiate a higher fee for his services - the deal being secured at approximately £40m. If the same theme continues then Gallagher is only likely to depart for a fee exceeding £20m.
Meanwhile, the midfielder himself has suggested that he is not even thinking about what the future holds just yet and is instead focusing on the end of the season with his adoptive employers.
Speaking with ESPN earlier this month, he said: "No, no, not at all. I just take every game as it comes to be honest. I've not thought too far ahead at all.
"I think in the stage we're at in this season and where Palace are at as a team, we can't afford to look too far into the future.”
