Liverpool to prioritise signing Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher: report

Liverpool-linked Conor Gallagher of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on March 18, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.
(Image credit: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

Liverpool have reportedly made Chelsea's Conor Gallagher one of their top summer transfer targets as they seek to reinforce their midfield.

The Reds have performed well below par this season, and a fragility in the middle of the park has been one of the major reasons behind their struggles.

One would expect to see multiple new arrivals in that department during the next transfer window – and, according to the Independent, Gallagher has been identified as an ideal fit for Jurgen Klopp's high-intensity system.

Conor Gallagher of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on January 15, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.

Gallagher has made 33 first-team appearances for Chelsea, scoring once (Image credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Gallagher, 23, is under contract at Chelsea until the summer of 2025, but he has been highlighted as one of a host of players who could be offloaded ahead of next season.

The Evening Standard reported earlier this week that the Blues are aiming to dramatically cut down the size of their squad, having seen it swell with their enormous January outlay.

One player to arrive in the winter window was British-record signing Enzo Fernandez,  whose presence has naturally increased competition for places in midfield.

As such, Gallagher may well be considering his future away from Stamford Bridge – and, even if they fail to qualify for next season's Champions League, Klopp's Liverpool ought to be an attractive proposition.

Conor Gallagher of England reacts during the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match between England and Ukraine at Wembley Stadium on March 26, 2023 in London, United Kingdom.

Gallagher came off the bench in both of England's Euro 2024 qualifiers last month (Image credit: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Gallagher – who has won six caps for England – is currently valued by Transfermarkt  at roughly £28m.

He made his senior Chelsea debut in August last year, having risen through the club's youth ranks and shone on loan at Charlton Athletic, Swansea City, and Crystal Palace – where he was named player of the season for 2021/22.

More Liverpool stories

Jurgen Klopp has addressed the "clear need" for a Liverpool rebuild this summer – and reports suggest there could be a lot of money spent.

Josko Gvardiol is reportedly a top target, along with 'the next Luka Modric and Benfica starlet Florentino Luis.

The Reds could also go head-to-head with arch-rivals Manchester United for star Napoli centre-back Kim Min-Jae, and battle Real Madrid for Chelsea's Mason Mount.

Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...

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