Chelsea make major transfer U-turn, leaving January plans in chaos: report

Mauricio Pochettino the head coach / manager of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Chelsea FC at Turf Moor on October 7, 2023 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Chelsea are set to completely change their minds on one pre-destined transfer in the January window, leaving the rest of their plans in ruin.

Mauricio Pochettino has previously suggested that often what players want can have more of an impact on potential transfers than clubs, due to the contracts involved. 

And it seems that the Chelsea boss' assertion has borne fruit once more, forcing the club into changing their minds about a seemingly done deal this January.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 6: Raheem Sterling of Chelsea celebrates with Cole Palmer of Chelsea after scoring his sides third goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Preston North End at Stamford Bridge on January 6, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)

Chelsea have been hit-and-miss this season (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Mirror reports that Chelsea want £60m for Conor Gallagher in the current transfer window, a significant increase on the £50m previously reported. Tottenham Hotspur have been heavily linked in the past, but the report suggests they're unlikely to match such a hefty figure for a player out of contract in 18 months' time. 

Gallagher has always maintained that he wants to fight for his place at Chelsea and remain with his boyhood club, too, with Mauricio Pochettino also said to be especially keen to keep him at the club. Gallagher is the most-used player this term under the Argentine boss, proving an integral member of the squad. 

That didn't seem like it would stop the Chelsea hierarchy from selling Gallagher in January in order to raise significant funds for their own spending in the transfer market, though. 

Conor Gallagher in action for Chelsea against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup in December 2023.

Gallagher will be staying at Chelsea for the rest of the season (Image credit: Getty Images)

With Gallagher having graduated from the Chelsea academy, any sale would represent pure profit for Chelsea when considering FFP and the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules - allowing them to use all of that money for future signings.

That option doesn't look likely anymore, though, with Chelsea's U-turn scuppering any potential plans they might have had. With over £1bn spent on new signings alone in the last three transfer windows, Chelsea will need to figure out alternative avenues if they are to bring new players to the club. 

Gallagher is valued at £36m by Transfermarkt

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Chelsea are ready to rival Manchester City and Barcelona for a Brazilian teenage starlet who has been likened to Lionel Messi.

Chelsea are also eyeing a striker who is scoring plenty of goals for La Liga surprise package Girona.

And the Blues have joined the race to sign a defender who has been likened to Raphael Varane.

Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.