Paris Saint-Germain have entered the market for in-form Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher, who is valued at £50 million.
According to The Sun, Conor Gallagher has emerged as a shock target for Paris Saint-Germain in the ongoing January transfer window. The Ligue 1 giants have been left impressed by the midfielder’s rapid growth at Crystal Palace this season and are exploring the possibility of snapping him up in a potential £50 million deal this month.
A product of the Chelsea youth academy, Gallagher joined Palace on a season-long loan deal in the summer. He was coming on the back of a successful loan spell at West Brom last season, and the midfielder has managed to better his performances at Selhurst Park this time out.
Alongside Cheikhou Kouyate, the 21-year-old has been an indispensable figure in the Palace midfield this season. His six goals and three assists in just 17 league matches have helped the Eagles avoid the relegation scrap so far.
Gallagher’s rapid growth at Palace has led many to push Chelsea to recall him in January, especially given the injury woes Thomas Tuchel has faced this season. However, the youngster has played more than the agreed percentage of Palace’s matches, making it almost impossible for the Blues to recall the midfielder back to Stamford Bridge.
However, there remains a window of opportunity for the reigning European champions to potentially cash in on Gallagher in the January transfer window, with Paris Saint-Germain on red alert.
The French giants are in the market for a new midfielder this January amid the uncertain future of the new signing Gini Wijnaldum. The Dutchman has struggled to settle into Ligue 1 and is reportedly open to a potential return to Newcastle United. Wijnaldum’s potential exit could leave a void in PSG’s midfield unit, thus accentuating the need for a new player in the position.
Gallagher might be an excellent replacement, given the potential the Englishman has shown during his loan spells at West Brom and Palace so far. However, the 21-year-old is indeed a difficult target, especially given that his loan contract doesn’t expire until the end of the season.
PSG, though, are more than willing to play the waiting game, with the club open to monitoring the midfielder’s progress during the remainder of the campaign before making a move in the summer. Les Parisiens should have no difficulties in meeting Chelsea’s valuation for Gallagher next summer, and it appears the club are prepared to land the midfielder by offering him the opportunity to play alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar next season.
