Juventus and Inter Milan have reportedly both sent scouts to watch Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher in action for Crystal Palace recently as uncertainty looms over the midfielder's future.
Gallagher was expected to be made a part of Thomas Tuchel's first-team next season but rival clubs have seemingly been emboldened by the ownership saga raging at Stamford Bridge. Gallagher has thrived since moving to Selhurst Park on loan this season, becoming one of the Premier League's standout performers.
Chelsea fans have been excited by the prospect of seeing the Cobham graduate thrive in a Blue shirt next season and with the futures of Jorginho and N'Golo Kante in doubt, that seemed likely. Tuchel has also not been shy in showering the 22-year-old with praise in the past.
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“Actually I haven’t thought about it," Tuchel said when asked about the possibility of recalling Gallagher in November. "I think it is important for him to be happy where he is and not change things. It is important to be calm, I feel him happy there and that he is having this impact at Crystal Palace.
"It is too early to talk about that [next season] in public before we talk with Conor himself and what his goals are. This will happen in the summer as we all agreed to the decision that we wanted to send him to Palace. He saw a possibility for him. I am not surprised the national coach loves him because I loved him from day one. Humble, nice, smile on his face and all the time ready to give everything, want to learn and improve.
“As a teammate, I would have loved to play with him. It is a pleasure to know him; I am super happy that it has worked out so well. He needs to keep his feet on the ground.”
But it now appears that Chelsea could face a fight to keep Gallagher at Stamford Bridge. The Sun have reported that scouts from Serie A giants Inter Milan and Juventus both attended Palace's 0-0 draw with Manchester City at Selhurst Park to watch the 22-year-old.
Gallagher has scored eight goals and provided three assists in the Premier League this season, becoming a regular in Gareth Southgate's England squad in the process.
He is valued at just under £20 million by Transfermarkt, but with his current Chelsea deal not expiring until the summer of 2025, it will likely take a lot more to prize him away.
