Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has opened up on the possibility of the club signing Chelsea midfielders Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the summer. Both players have enjoyed loan spells with the Eagles, with the former currently impressing at Selhurst Park.
It has led to the 22-year-old receiving a first senior England national team call up under Gareth Southgate, having made 27 appearances with eight goals and three assists in the Premier League. This has led to Parish claiming he would like Gallagher to stay permanently.
He said, via The Mirror: “Of course. But the player is the number one person. He [Gallagher] knows exactly what his priorities are and he knows exactly what he's doing. I'm sure at the end of the season.
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“Conor will work out what he thinks the best thing for him is and that will that will be the catalyst for it. If there's an opportunity to get him or even Ruben Loftus-Cheek then of course.
“These are top players and it's been brilliant having him here this year, not just because of what he does on the pitch. Also because of the way he is around the place, the way he is with the media and supporters and because of how special a lad he is."
The chairman also made note of a potential transfer for Loftus-Cheek, who enjoyed a loan spell at the club in 2017. He has since struggled to make his way into the Chelsea side, but recently adapted to play as a right-wing-back in a back five for the Blues.
Despite the transfer interest, both players could still play a part in Thomas Tuchel’s plans going forward. Discussing Gallagher recently, the German said: “I believe Conor can be a part of our squad and can play a role with us. But I am not the only one to decide. We need to speak after the season with everybody, speak after the season about what Conor wants.”
He also heaped praise on Loftus-Cheek, challenging him to show his potential after his goal in the FA Cup semi-final: “We want him to show everybody in the stadium his potential and not only us on the training ground. These are the next steps for him and we will encourage him to do so.”
Whether either have a part to play going into next season remains to be seen, however with both impressing, it could be their chance to stake a claim in the side.
