Chelsea could yet sell Conor Gallagher to London rivals Tottenham before the end of the January transfer window.
Despite being an integral member of Mauricio Pochettino's team, the Blues are said to be open to selling the 11-cap England midfielder at the right price.
Gallagher's contract at Stamford Bridge runs out at the end of the 2024/25 season, meaning he could negotiate a pre-contract agreement with a non-English club this time next year.
As such, the current transfer window and this summer's may provide the last realistic opportunities for Chelsea to offload their academy graduate – who is currently valued at 42m (£35.9m) by Transfermarkt – for a fee.
And, according to The Times, Spurs are 'seriously considering' a fresh approach for Gallagher before Thursday's deadline, having been put off by a £50m price tag last summer.
The report adds that Chelsea also turned down an offer from West Ham during the same window.
Gallagher, 23, has remained a first-team regular at Stamford Bridge, having made his senior Blues debut last season following a breakthrough loan campaign at Crystal Palace in 2021/22.
He has started 20 of Chelsea's 21 Premier League games this term, regularly wearing the captain's armband.
Pochettino is not short of quality options in the middle of the park, but there can be no denying that if Gallagher were to depart, it would leave the Blues markedly weaker in that department.
More Chelsea and transfer stories
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Meanwhile, Manchester United have been linked with a wonderkid already on Liverpool's radar – and the Red Devils look to have received a boost in their pursuit of Crystal Palace star Michael Olise.
Elsewhere, Arsenal could rival another Premier League club in the race for a highly-rated midfielder.
And Pep Guardiola has made some controversial remarks on Manchester City's transfer plans.
