Chelsea star Conor Gallagher has been linked with a transfer to Tottenham(Image: (Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images))

Tottenham transfer stance on Conor Gallagher made clear amid Chelsea exit talk

Latest Tottenham transfer news with Conor Gallagher continuing to be linked to an exit from Chelsea in the upcoming January window

30 Dec 2023, 17:00 by Alasdair Gold, Kieran Horn · football.london

Tottenham are not in negotiations with Chelsea for midfielder Conor Gallagher at this time, football.london understands. The England international has been linked with a switch across London since the summer with Spurs attempting to sign him on deadline day and following an excellent start to the season with the Blues, interest remains from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Injuries have hit Ange Postecoglou significantly during his first season in the Premier League, particularly in defence, although it is in midfield where concern lies ahead of 2024 commencing. James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur are both injured while Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma are both away on international duty, along with this Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg has been linked with an exit.

As many as five senior midfielders could miss the first month of 2024 and understandably that has seen links to Gallagher intensify especially with Chelsea's surprising stance on his future. Under Mauricio Pochettino, Gallagher has often been named captain and he has been a consistent figure in the Chelsea midfield often outperforming Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, who were both signed for over £100million.

Given the exit links, Pochettino was understandably asked about Gallagher's future recently with his verdict telling. "That is between the club and the player," he said regarding the 23-year-old. "I don’t need to talk too much because it is not my decision. He is in the starting eleven in nearly all the games and is one of the captains. For me, he is the type of player that the club needs to have.”

Pochettino added: “He’s important because of his Chelsea values. He came from the academy and knows the identity of the club and he is very committed. You can see on the pitch how he runs, plays, and fights. He gives everything and he is a really important player. All coaching staff want this type of player in their team.”

Despite Pochettino's clear admiration of having Gallagher, the stance from the boardroom is clearly very different with Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali hoping to sell the midfielder in January. The main reason for this is because any funds acquired will count as pure profit on Chelsea's financial books and therefore help balance out the vast spending completed over the last 12 months.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Blues are looking for between £45-£50million with his report also noting that Pochettino does not have any enhanced power when determining his future with Joe Shields, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart all set to play a role in the decision.