Transfer: Gallagher to leave Chelsea for EPL rival

Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher is set to leave the club this summer as Tottenham and West Ham lead the race to sign him.

Chelsea have deemed Gallagher surplus to requirements despite him scoring in their last two pre-season wins over Brighton and Wrexham, respectively.

According to the Evening Standard, West Ham are “ready to push ahead of Tottenham” as they look to bring in two midfielders after selling Declan Rice to Arsenal.

Tottenham, on the other hand, could be the more attractive option for Gallagher, as Spurs are in need of homegrown players as well as a potential replacement for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who is linked with a move to Atletico Madrid.

Gallagher was keen to stay and fight for his place at Chelsea under manager Mauricio Pochettino, but accepts that he needs to leave as the west London club are unwilling to offer him a new deal.