Chelsea development may ‘help’ Aston Villa secure summer Conor Gallagher transfer after new update
Aston Villa may have boosted their chances of securing a summer transfer for Conor Gallagher after new developments at Chelsea, according to Alan Hutton.
Unai Emery is looking to strengthen his squad as the Villans prepare to enter the Champions League next season and one player who has been linked with a summer move to Villa Park is England international Gallagher [The Telegraph, 18 May].
The 24-year-old’s current contract expires at the end of next season and so far no extension has yet been agreed, despite the fact Mauricio Pochettinho was keen to tie the midfielder down to a new deal before he quit.
While there is still time for the Blues to agree terms with Gallagher before they’re forced to sell him, Hutton admits Pochettinho’s decision to leave Stamford Bridge could aid Villa’s push to secure the 24-year-old.
“It could possibly help,” Hutton told Villa News.
“I think there will be several clubs that will be looking for his signature and it is going to take a lot of money.
“Sometimes, it just kind of baffles me, they’re looking to get rid of Jacob Ramsey for £50million but then you bring Gallagher in for £50million it doesn’t really balance anything up does it?
“But again, I think he comes in and makes the squad stronger and that is what Aston Villa need. They need players like that with experience of what it is like to play at a big club, especially going into next season in the Champions League.
“We saw how Villa did in the Conference League, but this is a huge step up. Therefore, the standard of players also needs to go up.
“Emery isn’t daft so he will know this and that would be an interesting signing if they can get somebody like that through the door.”
Will Conor Gallagher leave Chelsea for Aston Villa in the summer transfer window?
Emery will know that his midfield needs reinforcing this summer, especially as speculation continues to swirl around the future of Douglas Luiz at Villa Park while a new contract remains unsigned.
Although the prospective addition of Ross Barkley is a step in the right direction, it is unlikely the Luton Town man will be able to play week in and week out having not played in the Champions League for most of his career.
Gallagher has a wealth of experience at one of the biggest clubs in England and while he may not be the most exciting of players, he fits the mould of what Emery tends to look for in a new midfielder, particularly when it comes to workrate.
While it remains to be seen if Villa are able to get a deal over the line this summer, this could be a move to really get supporters out of their seats at Villa Park.
In other Aston Villa news, Diego Carlos has been told he may “have to leave” Villa Park this summer for Emery to secure a new signing
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