Toon make loan approach for Conor Gallagher
Newcastle United have reportedly asked Chelsea about a loan deal for Conor Gallagher.
So says the Northern Echo, who say the Magpies have asked about 22-year-old midfielder and Sheffield United star Sander Berge.
While Berge is a new target for Newcastle, talk of Gallagher going to St James’ Park is nothing new. He has been adamantly linked with a move to Tyneside in recent years and was mentioned as a midfield option earlier in the January transfer window.
However, Newcastle’s need for a midfielder has increased in the last 24 hours. Jonjo Shelvey will sign for Nottingham Forest, leaving Eddie Howe with limited opportunities in the middle of the park.
Toon sporting director Dan Ashworth is now scouring the loan market to find a replacement and has asked Chelsea to let Gallagher on a temporary basis at Newcastle.
He would be a brilliant addition to Howe’s squad and has been identified as a potential ‘Perfect‘ Signed by Ally McCoist when linked earlier this month.
However, the Northern Echo add that Newcastle feel they have a problem in their attempt to bring Gallagher north.
Newcastle have concerns about Conor Gallagher despite loan approach
Although Newcastle have expressed interest in signing Gallagher, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are confident of signing him.
The Northern Echo add that Toon officials believe Chelsea will be reluctant to let their academy graduate move to St James’ Park as we are now viewed as rivals.
Howe’s side are currently fighting for a place in next season’s Champions League and are third after 20 games. Chelsea are in 10th place, 10 points behind the Magpies. So in that sense, we’re not rivals at all…
But Newcastle’s rise has made domestic deals difficult as rivals don’t help us and may want to make us stronger.
Gallagher’s move to St James would do just that, and it would give a massive boost to our bid to finish in the top four.
It was recently reported that Chelsea were reluctant to loan Hakim Ziyech to Newcastle. He was linked to Howe’s side when it appeared the deal with Anthony Gordon was in doubt.
The Magpies’ interest in Ziyech is likely to be over now, but Chelsea’s stance on sending players to the North East certainly remains the same.
The only thing that could change their minds would be if they sign Enzo Fernandez. They are trying to sign the world champions from Benfica which could force the Blues to ditch one of their current midfielders.
The arrival of Fernandez could push the likes of Gallagher out the door and give Newcastle a chance to get the Shelvey replacement they want.
The Toon recruitment team has made its move but seem skeptical that they can pull off a deal.
