The Conor Gallagher move is off but West Ham have been offered another star by Chelsea during talks claims a board confidant.
West Ham’s move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has been a fast developing story this week but it came to an abrupt end last night.
Claim and counter claim about a deal between West Ham and Chelsea for the England midfielder has been made in the last week or so.
West Ham’s interest in Chelsea star Gallagher can be charted back as far as last summer.
Last week it was being reported that West Ham were closing in on a £25m move for Gallagher as reports emerged from Germany of all places.
There was real encouragement for the Hammers when a report emerged this week stating Chelsea had placed Gallagher on the transfer list.
Sky Sports then claimed West Ham had seen a £40m bid rejected by Chelsea.
Guardian journalist Jacob Steinberg then said there is some surprise within West Ham that there have been claims a bid totalling £47 million including add-ons was lodged for the player dubbed by Wayne Rooney as ‘Declan Rice lite’.
Reporter Dharmesh Sheth then claimed he had been told West Ham had received encouragement from the player that he would be open to the move.
I stated on Hammers News on Tuesday that something did not add up with the Gallagher speculation and suggested West Ham were wasting their time on a move that clearly wasn’t going to happen.
And so it has proved. But there’s been a new twist.
The Gallagher move is off but West Ham have been offered another star by Chelsea during talks claims a board confidant.
Sean Whetstone, who has contacts on the Hammers board including Karren Brady and David Sullivan, says Chelsea have offered winger Callum Hudson-Odoi during the talks for Gallagher.
Hudson-Odoi has also been linked with Lazio and Fulham. But he plays on the left, a position where West Ham are well stocked and are set to strengthen further with the £14m signing of Carlos Borges from Man City.
Whetstone states West Ham have pulled out of the Gallagher move after they were told he wants to stay and fight for his place at Stamford Bridge under new boss Mauricio Pochettino.
“West Ham pull out of Conor Gallagher bidding after he reveals he wants to fight for his place at Chelsea,” Whetstone states.
“The Hammers want James Ward Prowse but need Southampton to significantly lower their valuation. West Ham have been offered Callum Hudson-Odoi and chance of Aaron Cresswell leaving is 50/50 as the two clubs (Hammers and Wolves) cant agree a transfer fee.
“Meanwhile Carlos Borges is the only signing that remains close.”