Bayern Munich battle Tottenham for Conor Gallagher and push for Palhinha
Tottenham are set to make a late attempt to sign Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, who is also on Bayern Munich’s radar as the German champions look to bolster Thomas Tuchel’s options in midfield.
Gallagher captained Chelsea during their victory over AFC Wimbledon on Wednesday night and Mauricio Pochettino has started him in every game this season. However, the midfielder has less than two years left on his deal and it is understood there is a strong chance of him leaving his boyhood club before the transfer window shuts on Friday night.
Chelsea have spent heavily on their midfield this summer, buying Moisés Caicedo, Lesley Ugochukwu and Roméo Lavia, and they are open to offers for Gallagher. The midfielder is not in a rush to leave and is rated by Pochettino, but Chelsea have repeatedly demonstrated that they are not afraid to sell players for the right price this summer.
It remains to be seen how much Spurs are willing to pay for Gallagher, who is valued at £50m. Spurs, who are also expected to bid for the Nottingham Forest winger Brennan Johnson, have been monitoring Gallagher throughout the summer and have funds available after selling Harry Kane to Bayern
Munich. The England international’s workrate and ability to play in a variety of roles would make him a good fit in Ange Postecoglou’s 4-3-3 system.
Much could depend on whether Spurs are able to find a buyer for Pierre-Emile Højbjerg. The Denmark international has been deemed surplus to requirements and has been linked with Fulham, Atlético Madrid and Manchester United.
Fulham are scouring the market for midfielders capable of replacing João Palhinha, who wants to join Bayern Munich, and have contacted Tottenham about a deal for Højbjerg. Bayern are pushing to complete a deal for Palhinha before the transfer window shuts but Fulham are desperate not to lose the influential Portugal international.
Selling Palhinha would leave Fulham with a major hole to fill. He has been excellent since joining the west Londoners from Sporting last year and is central to Marco Silva’s plans. Fulham have tried to ward off interest in Palhinha by setting his asking price at £80m and rejected multiple bids from West Ham earlier this summer.
However, Bayern are refusing to drop their interest in the 28-yearold, despite having an opening bid of £47m bid rejected, and will have additional funds after agreeing to sell Ryan Gravenberch to Liverpool for £34m.
Fulham are braced for the prospect of losing Palhinha but will need to ensure they have a replacement for him. They have enquired about Højbjerg, who would offer plenty of Premier League experience.
Spurs are desperate to sell their fringe players, not least because their squad contains 20 non-locally trained senior players; Premier League rules permit 17 in the 25-man group. Højbjerg leaving would make it easier for them to sign Gallagher, who counts as a homegrown player.
Postecoglou has lined up with Yves Bissouma as a No 6 this season, with James Maddison and Pape Matar Sarr as the No 8s. Postecoglou has also used Oliver Skipp in midfield, while he is waiting for Rodrigo Bentancur to return from a long-term knee injury.
Spurs are not alone in tracking Gallagher. Tuchel worked with the 23-yearold during his time at Chelsea and is interested in bringing him to Bayern. However, Bayern Munich are unlikely to convince Chelsea to send Gallagher to them on loan. Brighton also like Gallagher but are unlikely to be able to afford him.
Bayern have also been in talks with Chelsea over a deal for Trevoh Chalobah, but discussions over the centreback have stalled. Chelsea, who are close to signing the Manchester City winger Cole Palmer in a deal worth up to £45m, want to sell Chalobah; Bayern’s preference is a loan.
The Blues have dramatically altered their squad this summer and have loaned Romelu Lukaku to Roma. Forest are closing in on an £8m deal to sign Callum Hudson-Odoi, who is set to become the latest academy player to leave Stamford Bridge. Mason Mount joined Manchester United earlier this summer, while Gallagher and Chalobah both came through the academy.
Spurs are also conducting a clearout and are trying to ship Hugo Lloris, Sergio Reguilón, Tanguy Ndombele, Bryan Gil and Eric Dier out of the club. They are yet to make a signing since selling Kane and have lost out to Brighton in the race to sign the Barcelona winger Ansu Fati on loan. Agreeing a fee to sign Johnson from Forest would be a boost for Postecoglou. Forest want £50m for the 22-year-old.