Chelsea star Conor Gallagher is believed to have agreed to join Crystal Palace on loan for the coming season, despite having a medical treatment with Leeds United.
The 21-year-old got a solid spell away from Chelsea last semester and made 30 appearances for a West Brom side that ended up being relegated to the championship, and everyone involved has now focused on keeping that drive going.
Gallagher did well with West Brom / Marc Atkins / Getty Images
It had been suggested that he could stay at Chelsea, but with the competition for a place in Thomas Tuchel’s midfield so fierce, a decision was made to let the 21-year-old go on loan for more top experience.
As first revealed by Sun’s Tom Barclay, Gallagher has “chosen” to take his talents to Selhurst Park for the coming year. However, a source has informed 90 minutes that Gallagher had been about to join Leeds on a temporary contract, only to have turned his head through a late attitude from the Eagles.
That heart change has left a sour taste in the mouths of the whites, who thought they had gotten their man. Gallagher had visited Leeds’ training ground, agreed on personal terms and even undergone medical treatment with the Yorkshire club.
Marcelo Bielsa is an admirer of Gallagher’s all-action style and had seen him as a good fit for his high-intensity strategy. Newcastle United are other suitors who missed a deal.
Gallagher is set to become Patrick Vieira’s sixth signing of the summer and will join former Chelsea man Marc Guehi, who left Stamford Bridge this summer in an £ 18m deal. Staff member Michael Olise and young winger Jesuran Rak-Sakyi also have experience from the Chelsea academy.
Palace have been tracking Gallagher for some time and were close to signing him last summer, only to take Michy Batshuayi on loan instead. Premier League rules prohibit clubs from signing more than one club loaner, and the Eagles chose Batshuayi over Gallagher.
Palace went instead with Batshuayi / Sebastian Frej / MB Media / Getty Images
The Belgian striker started just seven Premier League games all season, so you can probably make an educated guess as to whether or not they regret their decision.
Chelsea hope that Gallagher’s loan does not end in a similar way and instead follow the path set by Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who earned a place in England’s squad for the 2018 World Cup after his excellent 2017/18 season on loan at Palace.
