Blues prepare bid for Euro 2024 finalist, including double exit sacrifice in one position

Chelsea have turned their attention to an in-form Aston Villa star and are still willing to sell Conor Gallagher to their Premier League rivals in an attempt to strike a deal despite also lining up another midfielder on the leg, according to the latest reports. .

Chelsea and Aston Villa have already done business with each other this summer, with Ian Maatsen joining Unai Emery’s side and Omari Kellyman being integrated by the Blues. However, there have been talks of continuing the move between the two clubs.

For example, in Chelsea’s search for a new striker, they showed interest in Jhon Duran. In the meantime, Villa Aston have been named as one of the suitors for Blues midfielder Gallagher.

According to the latest report from Football Insider, Chelsea remain interested in attacking Aston Villa’s attack this summer. However, as already reported elsewhere, they have now moved on from focusing on Duran in favor of England hero Ollie Watkins.

Watkins scored the goal that sent England into the Euro 2024 final and will be hoping to get his hands on a winner’s medal on Sunday, although he is not expected to start ahead of Harry Kane just yet.

He is coming off the highest scoring season of his career, scoring 27 goals in all competitions as Aston Villa qualified for the Champions League.

Firmly established above Duran in Aston Villa’s centre-forward pecking order, Watkins would be a more expensive target for Chelseaespecially since his contract runs until 2028.

But it would also be a better guarantee of goals, something Chelsea have lacked from centre-forwards consistently.

They therefore looked to the market for a solution, although TEAMtalk understands there is one possibility not to sign any new no.9 henceforth if they are not convinced that a deal is fair.

Chelsea could cut out two midfielders – one to help the raiding striker

Still, Watkins is worth a look and it is claimed in the latest update that Chelsea could try to sweeten a deal with Villa by offering Gallagher as a counterpart.

Gallagher has entered the final year of his contract with Chelsea, where he captained at times last season, but is seen as a sellable asset after coming through the club’s academy.

Aston Villa have already completed their midfield this summer, bringing in Enzo Barrenechea and Ross Barkley, with Everton’s Amadou Onana is set to follow in a club record move.

So it’s debatable whether they still have room for Gallagher in the same department. Chelsea may have to look elsewhere to find a suitor for the England international, who is also in the Euros squad.

Earlier this month, Chelsea completed the signing of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City to rebuild their midfield. Due to his existing understanding with head coach Enzo Maresca, who he followed to Stamford Bridge, he may have pushed Gallagher down.

Someone who is even further down Chelsea’s midfield hierarchy is Lesley Ugochukwu, who joined from Rennes last summer – and he is also newly linked with a move away.

Chelsea initially planned to take the young Frenchman on loan upon his arrival, but he ended up staying for the season, making 15 appearances either side of an injury lay-off.

Now according Foot MarketThe Blues are once again planning to find another club where the 20-year-old can develop.

With Ugochukwu under contract until 2030, Chelsea are under no pressure to sell and would happily let the midfielder leave on loan so he can resume his progress.

Interestingly, the French outlet have named Everton as a suitor for Ugochukwu, who is said to be keen on a move to the Premier League.

Ugochukwu could theoretically fill the void left at Goodison Park by Onana, the player whose move to Aston Villa may complicate a similar exit route for Gallagher.

Gallagher has also been linked with clubs such as Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur.

READ MORE – Marc Guiu: Why Chelsea signed the “unstoppable” Barcelona striker and everything you need to know about him