Transfer U-turn: £45m Newcastle target could now be put up for sale in January

Newcastle United may be quite active in the January transfer window.

While FFP concerns are believed to persist, Newcastle are poised to recruit a central midfielder when the transfer window reopens.

Indeed, since the PIF acquisition in October 2021, the club has only signed two players in that position. Sandro Tonali is one of those who has been barred from playing football until August.

As a result, a number of players have been identified.

The most visible example is probably Kalvin Phillips, but another claimed target could soon be changed.

Conor Gallagher: Chelsea could make U-turn on Newcastle transfer target

Conor Gallagher of Chelsea was mentioned as a possible target over the summer.

Nonetheless, incoming boss Maurico Pochettino chose to keep the England international at Stamford Bridge and has since given him the captaincy on many occasions, with rumors suggesting he was anxious to keep the former Crystal Palace loanee on a long-term basis.

However, the Blues’ stance could alter now.

According to the Daily Mail, Gallagher, who is valued at £45 million, might be moved during the January transfer window. The 23-year-old is yet to sign a new contract with the club and presently has 18 months left on his current deal.

As a result, executives in west London are alleged to be proposing that selling the youngster, who would represent pure profit on their balance sheet given his position as an academy graduate, would make financial sense.

 

Conor Gallagher to Newcastle: What Eddie Howe thinks of Chelsea midfielder

Gallagher, who England boss Gareth Southgate described as “fantastic” for his ability to press, would be a sensible target for Newcastle.

He has a reasonable amount of top-level experience at the age of 23, but he has so much of his career ahead of him in a position the club sorely needs to strengthen.

Eddie Howe is also said to be a great fan.

Ben Jacobs told Caught Offside in July that “Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher is a player Eddie Howe likes.”