New Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca ‘set to raid former club Leicester for £40m-rated star to replace Conor Gallagher’, as Tottenham and Aston Villa eye moves for the England midfielder
New Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is reportedly set to raid former club Leicester by targeting a Foxes midfielder to replace Conor Gallagher.
Gallagher appears set for a move this summer, with Aston Villa and Tottenham interested in the England international as he enters the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea and Villa have reportedly held preliminary talks, with Villa manager Unai Emery a ‘big admirer’ of the 24-year-old.
As reported by The sunChelsea will look for a like-for-like replacement for Gallagher by targeting Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who has been managed by Maresca this season.
Dewsbury-Hall was integral to Leicester’s form in the Championship as they secured an immediate return to the Premier League.
Chelsea are reportedly looking to sign a Leicester midfielder to replace Conor Gallagher
Gallagher appears set for a move this summer, with Aston Villa and Tottenham both interested
The 25-year-old became a target for Brighton in January, with the Foxes valuing him at £40 million.
Maresca is said to be confident Dewsbury-Hall can make the move to Chelsea after previously playing in the top flight.
Leicester is a club close to his heart. He was born in the city, signed his first professional contract with the club in 2017 and has only ever loaned out for other clubs.
He scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists in 44 Championship games in a memorable season for Leicester.
By comparison, Gallagher played 50 games for Chelsea in the 2023/24 season, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists.
Dewsbury-Hall scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists in 44 as Leicester secured promotion
Maresca is said to be convinced that the 25-year-old can make the move to Chelsea
He has been a regular starter in the team and is expected to make Gareth Southgate’s final spot for his 26-man squad at this summer’s European Championship.
Despite doubts about his future, Gallagher told Sky Sports this week that he is excited about the prospect of working with new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.
He said: ‘I’ve heard really good things and I’ve seen really good things.
“Myself and everyone at Chelsea are very happy and excited to be working with him.”