Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are just three of the Premier League clubs said to be in pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher this summer.
Just this week, speculation emerged claiming the Villans had opened talks for the reported Spurs and Magpies target.
Meanwhile, Tottenham have been linked with Gallagher for a number of months, while Newcastle are also said to be monitoring the 24-year-old.
Chelsea are reported to be willing to part company with Gallagher, as his sale would count as pure profit with regards to profit and sustainability rules.
Now, Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the reported Villa, Spurs and Newcastle target in wake of the fresh speculation linking him with Unai Emery’s side.
What has Fabrizio Romano said about Conor Gallagher amid Aston Villa, Tottenham and Newcastle links?
The transfer insider, writing on CaughtOffside, provided a slight boost to Villa’s transfer rivals by stressing that the race for Gallagher remains wide open.
At this moment in time, it’s “all about interest and initial contacts”, and it looks as though this race has a long way to go.
“Another story to watch with Chelsea, as David Ornstein reported, is that Aston Villa are showing interest in Conor Gallagher,” wrote Romano.
“I’m told there are also other clubs, so it remains an open situation, but at the moment nothing is close or imminent.
“It’s about interest and initial contacts, but no decision has been made yet on Chelsea side.”
At just 24 years of age, Gallagher has already captained Chelsea, is one of their key players, and is also in the England picture.
Paul Merson recently described Gallagher as ‘one of their most consistent and best players’. Indeed, it remains somewhat baffling that the Blues appear willing to sell him.
Let’s see what happens in the coming months. Aston Villa, Tottenham and Newcastle will surely all fancy their chances of signing one of the Premier League’s top talents this summer.