Everton are reportedly keeping a close eye on Conor Gallagher and have registered their interest in a permanent £30m deal for the Chelsea midfielder.
A new report from Football Insider has offered an intriguing update on Everton’s long-running search for Chelsea playmaker Conor Gallagher. Everton have now moved closer to trying to sign the 22-year-old England international ahead of the 2022/23 season.
The young Chelsea midfielder spent the 2021/22 season on loan at Crystal Palace and was one of the Premier League’s rising stars as he enjoyed a fine run, scoring eight goals in 34 top-flight appearances, helping the Palace to finish comfortably in 12th place.
That form caught the eye of England head coach Gareth Southgate and Gallagher is now firmly in contention for a place on the plane to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, he has a decision to make about his future. immediately now that he has returned to Chelsea, where he faces competition in a crowded midfield.
As such, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is believed to be a big fan of his talent, but questions remain as to whether he is capable enough to replace the likes of N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic in midfield for the time being. . With that in mind, Gallagher could consider moving away from Stamford Bridge.
Football Insider report that Everton are still interested in Gallagher and have consulted with Chelsea about the feasibility of a permanent deal for the 22-year-old, who has three years left on his contract.
Frank Lampard spent most of his career at Chelsea and is now trying to use his connections to attract players to Goodison Park. Everton are in the market to renew most of their squad after a terrible season in which they narrowly avoided relegation. However, they have only brought defender James Tarkowski through the door so far, and that was a Bosman deal as well.
One area Lampard is particularly keen to strengthen is midfield, especially after releasing Fabian Delph, Gylfi Sigurdsson. Also, Donny van de Beek has returned to Manchester United. As such, Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White was recently the subject of a £25m offer, with Everton bosses planning to make an enhanced offer.
However, it seems that the Toffees have decided to explore other avenues before doing so, with Lampard looking for an energetic and dynamic midfielder to add to his roster of midfielders. Gallagher fits the profile of the player that Lampard wants, and he is more established than Gibbs-White, having shown the consistency and quality necessary to perform at the highest level.
Lampard is said to be a huge fan of the youngster and has made him a prime target for Everton, with the Toffees hierarchy even willing to spend upwards of £30m if Chelsea are prepared to sell. It remains to be seen if Everton can clinch the Englishman this summer amid stiff competition from other Premier League clubs.
