It could be about to get a lot more difficult for Aston Villa to sign one of their key transfer targets this summer.
It looks set to be a busy summer at Villa Park, with signings needed in order to improve both the quality and depth of the squad ahead of the Champions League next season.
This won’t be easy, with Premier League spending rules meaning Aston Villa may have to sell one or two important players in order to avoid breaching PSR.
Douglas Luiz looks the most likely departure, with talk of a move to Juventus gaining real momentum but he may not be the only player that leaves for a sizeable fee this summer.
Villa will need to replace the Brazilian and they could be about to receive some bad news that dents their chances of signing one of their candidates to do so.
Chelsea could now offer Aston Villa transfer target Conor Gallagher a new contract
Villa have been linked with a move for Chelsea Conor Gallagher, who is currently on international duty with England at the European Championships.
Chelsea have their own financial woes, owing mainly to owner Todd Boehly’s reckless spending, and were subsequently expected to sell Gallagher this summer.
The 24-year-old has just one year left on his contract at the London club and as a homegrown player would represent pure profit in a financial sense, helping Chelsea comply with PSR.
Unai Emery‘s side have been credited with interest in the all-action midfielder, with Chelsea putting him firmly in the shop window, but latest reports in The Guardian suggest the club could change their stance on a potential exit.
The Guardian have reported that: ‘Gallagher, who is out of contract at the end of next season, remains a candidate to leave Stamford Bridge this summer and is wanted by Aston Villa and Tottenham.
But while there have been plenty of indications that Chelsea are actively looking to sell Gallagher, who is valued at a minimum of £50m, there has been a change in the noise around the situation.
The report goes on to claim that Gallagher would prefer a Chelsea stay but the club are wary of losing him for free next summer. Therefore, ‘it is understood that Chelsea are open to securing his future if talks over a contract extension resume.’
Jhon Duran could be key to Gallagher joining Aston Villa
Gallagher is unlikely to make any decision on his future until the culmination of England’s bid to win the Euros this summer.
Chelsea are said to value Gallagher at around £50 million despite the midfielder having just one year left on his current contract, but Villa could potentially use Jhon Duran as leverage in any deal.
Chelsea have made no secret of their desire to sign Duran and the player is also keen on the move.
Villa are likely to sanction a move with the 20-year-old striker unlikely to displace Ollie Watkins and the £40 million fee touted could give them a real boost in their bid to avoid a PSR breach.
However, the club could capitalise on Chelsea’s interest in the Colombian to sign Gallagher, with The Guardian suggesting ‘informal talks’ have taken place between the two clubs regarding a potential swap deal.
Gallagher suited Mauricio Pochettino’s high-pressing football, with the Argentinian labelling him ‘priceless’, but the incoming Enzo Maresca places more of an emphasis on possession and control and this may not suit Gallagher’s skillset.
Therefore, a deal involving Gallagher and Duran could suit all parties, although Gallagher may need some convincing to leave his boyhood club.
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