Yahoo News Aston Villa receive 'reluctant' Conor Gallagher transfer answer
Aston Villa could be on the back foot in the race to sign Conor Gallagher.
Unai Emery and Co have long been touted as big admirers of the Chelsea and England midfielder. Villa watch his situation closely as he enters the final 12 months of his current contract at Stamford Bridge with the question still to be answered, whether he will agree to an extension or not.
It has been previously stated that the Blues would push their academy graduate, who at 24 has already captained the side, towards the exit door this summer so that they do not miss out on potential profit. Rated at £50m, Villa are one of the teams listed as interested, however if the moment arrives, they could find themselves negotiating with a major disadvantage compared to their rivals.
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This is down to a claim from The Telegraph, who believe that the player would be 'reluctant' to relocate to the Midlands. Otherwise he would be in negotiations over a renewal at Chelsea, where he could yet stay, or the other interested party named at present are Tottenham Hotspur, therefore Gallagher would not have far to move and can maintain his life in and around the capital.
He is currently away with England, who have now reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 in Germany, where he said prior to the tournament's start date that he would only begin to consider his long-term future after their involvement ended.
But he is on track to return to a rapidly-changing landscape down in West London, with Chelsea's latest signing - Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City - potentially direct competition in midfield. The 25-year-old is to link up with his new squad as their pre-season preparations get underway, and the same report suggests that late returnees like Gallagher face 'uncertain' times under new manager Enzo Maresca.
