Aston Villa enter race to sign Conor Gallagher on deadline day – report
Aston Villa are interested in making a late swoop for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher but will face competition from a number of Premier League clubs, according to The Mirror.
Unai Emery’s side have been remarkably quiet in the latter stages of the January transfer window but need attacking reinforcements to lessen the burden on Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey.
The Villans are one of five Premier League clubs to register interest in the 22-year-old, with Everton already tabling a bid of £40million on Monday afternoon (30 January).
Gallagher has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge this season and may be released to free up funds for a deadline-day move for Enzo Fernandez. [Evening Standard, 30 January]
“A number of Premier League clubs are considering a late swoop for Gallagher, and a loan move is a possibility,” The Mirror wrote (Monday 30 January).
“His former club Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Aston Villa and West Ham are all believed to be interested in signing the England international.”
Needed?
Emery’s squad is looking ridiculously thin at the moment, and a couple of faces are desperately needed to bolster it on deadline day.
Although Villa already possesses Emi Buendia and Philippe Coutinho, who play in a similar position to Gallagher, this signing would be one with an eye on the future. Also, there is a possibility that Emery believes the Chelsea player could potentially feature as one of his front two.
However, for a price anywhere near the £40million that Everton bid, Villa could do better with their money and target a natural centre-forward instead.
After sanctioning the exit of Danny Ings to West Ham earlier in the window and allowing Cameron Archer to join Middlesbrough on loan, Emery has just three first-team attackers – with one of these being 16-year-old Kadan Young.
It’s not the worst transfer in the world, but you can’t help but feel the club should turn their attention elsewhere.
In other Aston Villa news, Carla Ward must find a contingency plan in case Rachel Daly gets injured for her side this season.