Aston Villa have reportedly opened talks with Chelsea over a summer transfer for midfielder Conor Gallagher.
The 24-year-old established himself as a key figure in the Blues midfield last season and played more minutes (4.036) than any of his teammates in all competitions under former boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Gallagher contributed with five goals and seven assists in 37 Premier League appearances as Chelsea secured a sixth-placed finish and Europa Conference League football for next season.
Although Gallagher remains an influential player at Stamford Bridge, he has continuously been linked with a move away from the club amid the Blues' financial concerns.
Chelsea can ease the risk of breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules if they make big-money sales this summer, and they know that the potential sale of academy graduate Gallagher would represent pure profit for the club.
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Emery keen to sign Gallagher
Gallagher's long-term future at Chelsea remains uncertain heading into the summer transfer window, with his current contract due to expire in June 2025.
Tottenham Hotspur have regularly been credited with an interest in the England international, but they are set to face competition from fellow Premier League outfit Aston Villa for his signature.
According to multiple reports, including one from The Guardian, Villa have opened talks with Chelsea over a deal to sign Gallagher, with Unai Emery said to be 'desperate' to lure the midfielder to the West Midlands club.
The report adds that Villa intend to move quickly in the transfer market in an attempt to land one of their key targets, but it remains to be seen whether they are willing to stump up at least £50m for the Englishman.
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Gallagher to consider Chelsea stay under Maresca?
It also remains to be seen whether Gallagher would be open to leaving his boyhood club and joining an Aston Villa side who will be competing in next season's Champions League after securing a top-four finish in the 2023-24 Premier League.
Gallagher recently hinted that he might like to stay at Chelsea as he is "excited" by the prospect of working under new head coach Enzo Maresca.
"I've heard really good things and I've seen really good things. Really exciting," Gallagher told Sky Sports after playing in England's 3-0 friendly win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday, just a few hours after Maresca's appointment was confirmed.
"Myself and everyone at Chelsea are really happy and excited to work with him."
Gallagher is not the only midfielder on Aston Villa's wishlist, as they are reportedly on the verge of completing the £5m signing of ex-Blues man Ross Barkley from Luton Town.
Oliver Thomas
