Journalist Luke Edwards has said that Conor Gallagher would be a ‘perfect’ signing for Newcastle United.
According to The Telegraph, the Chelsea midfielder is a ‘long-term’ target for Eddie Howe’s side, while Sky Sports has also reported the Blues are yet to decide on his future amid the interest.
Gallagher has played 17 times in the Premier League for the Blues, but only eight of those games have seen him start for the west London side.
The 22-year-old has a number of loan spells with Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion, Swansea City and Charlton Athletic.
Speaking on the Transfer Gossip Daily podcast, Edwards wants Gallagher to go somewhere where he’s the main man and believes that the perfect fit for him would be a move to the Magpies.
Edwards said: “He may think he’s a young man now, he may be tempted to give it another two years at Chelsea, but suddenly you’re 24, turning 25, there’s a new generation of players coming up behind you.
“So I think he is on the brink of having to accept that it’s time to leave Chelsea. I know Potter likes him, I know he’s been playing, but is that enough?
“I think for him to really blossom as a footballer, he needs to go somewhere where he’s the main man. That might be Crystal Palace – he did very, very well on loan at Crystal Palace. It might be Newcastle; I think a move to Newcastle would be perfect for him – and I know Newcastle are very, very interested.”
TIF Thoughts on Edwards’ comments…
We believe that if Newcastle want to get the best out of Gallagher, they would have to play him in an attacking-midfield role, which would change the way Howe sets up his side.
When on loan at Selhurst Park, Gallagher excelled when he played in a midfield role which gave him the licence to attack. In 39 appearances, he amassed eight goals and five assists during his time with the Eagles and was given their Player of the Season award for the 2021/22 campaign.
Howe’s Newcastle tend to operate as a midfield three with Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Joe Willock. Adding Gallagher into the mix could mean that the other two in the middle would have to sit deeper.
Alternatively, Howe could use him deeper in midfield and look to develop him into a combative player, and given he transformed Joelinton from a forward to a central midfielder, perhaps he could get the best out of him without changing his system.