Crystal Palace are set to make a January transfer move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, according to reports.
Gallagher spent last season on loan at the Eagles before returning to the Blues in the summer ahead of the new campaign.
He thoroughly impressed during his time at Selhurst Park and emerged as one of the best prospects in the Premier League come the end of his spell there.
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Palace were showing interest in signing him on a permanent deal during the summer transfer window, but he has remained at Chelsea.
According to the Sun, Patrick Vieira’s side will be looking to make a move for the 22-year-old in the January transfer window.
It is thought that the south London club have the money to do so, with a suggested fee being around £20 million.
Gallagher has asked Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel for assurance in terms of game time this season as he eyes a spot in the England squad for the World Cup later this year.
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So far this season he has made five appearances for the club, with three of those coming as starts.
However, he has struggled so far for the Blues, and was sent off in the win against Leicester last weekend.
The midfielder was named in the starting lineup for Chelsea’s 2-1 win against West Ham on Saturday, and played a total of 60 minutes before being substituted for Armando Broja.
Tuchel’s side won the game in dramatic fashion at Stamford Bridge, with the victory being their third of the campaign so far.
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Michail Antonio gave West Ham the lead, before Ben Chilwell scored the equaliser soon after coming off the bench.
Kai Havertz then netted a late winner for the hosts, before Maxwel Cornet saw his goal for the Hammers ruled out via VAR just moments later.
They next face Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Tuesday night but could be without Edouard Mendy, who picked up an injury in the win against West Ham.
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After the match, Tuchel revealed: “He was in a lot of pain and we have to see. It’s too early to comment on that. I think at the moment he is a bit unlucky in what he is doing.
“In training, he is fantastic and he is in general a very calm and self-reflective guy who is aware that he lacks a little bit of luck at the moment.
"Things do not go in his favour. If he has maybe a situation where his action isn’t 100% clear, he gets punished for it massively. He is just in this moment and it feels like it’s not so much his fault.
“I have the feeling because he tries everything, is very calm and focused. We will keep on supporting him.”
Topics: Crystal Palace, Conor Gallagher, Chelsea
Robert Calcutt