Newcastle United are pushing hard to complete a season-long loan deal for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher before the end of the summer transfer window next week.
The Magpies have already secured the signing of Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak for a club record fee, following Callum Wilson’s latest injury blow, and are now hoping to get more deals over the line ahead of deadline day.
Gallagher could well be the next to walk through the doors on Tyneside, with the Blues set to make a decision over his playing time as he eyes a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the World Cup in November.
As reported by the the Telegraph, Newcastle are pushing hard to land Chelsea’s 22-year-old midfielder following their success with Swedish striker Isak, although it is understood that the Blues are only willing to sanction a season-long loan move to Eddie Howe’s side.
Gallagher has been looking to fight for a key role in Thomas Tuchel’s plans this season following an impressive campaign on loan at Crystal Palace in the last campaign, in which he recorded eight goals and three assists in 34 Premier League outings for the Eagles.
His performances earned him his first England call-up in November 2021, before making a further three appearances for the Three Lions this year, but he is now looking to cement his place in Gareth Southgate’s squad ahead of the World Cup in Qatar in three months’ time.
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Gallagher featured off the bench in Chelsea’s first two games of the season against Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, before being awarded his first competitive start for the club in last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at Leeds United in the absence of the injured N’Golo Kante.
However, with the Frenchman due to return from injury next month, along with Mateo Kovacic, Gallagher is bearing in mind that his first team chances may be limited once again and could now look to push through for a move to Newcastle in order to guarantee regular game time.
With the Magpies operating with a midfield three, Howe needs plenty of options at his disposal. Jonjo Shelvey’s recent operation means he will remain out for the next 12 weeks, leaving youngsters Elliott Anderson and Longstaff brothers, Matty and Sean, his only options from the bench.
The injury to star striker Wilson has also come as a big blow for Howe, with the 30-year-old now expected to be out for the next three weeks with a hamstring issue, as reported by The Athletic, and is therefore set to miss out on Newcastle’s next five fixtures.
Having missed the majority of the second half of last season, Wilson’s return from injury was welcomed with open arms in the north east this summer. He got off to the perfect start this season with two goals in his first three games, but will miss out yet again with his latest injury scare.
January signing Chris Wood has struggled for goals since arriving at the club for £25million and registered just his third goal in 21 appearances with the winner against Tranmere Rovers in the Carabao Cup in midweek, although Isak’s arrival for around £60m will severely boost their options.
