Reports : He is not for sale because he is a very important player to us and part of our projects, says Chelsea head Coach Graham Potter

Conor Gallagher may struggle to stay out of the headlines on transfer deadline day.

 

The Chelsea midfielder was linked with a move to Everton on Monday afternoon, with it being suggested the Blues had tabled a £40million offer for the 22-year-old.

 

Gallagher caught the eye while on loan at Crystal Palace last season, but has struggled to establish himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet since returning to his parent club ahead of the current campaign.

 

Half of his 18 Premier League appearances this term have arrived from the bench, but our sister site football.london have suggested Graham Potter is ‘not willing’ to allow the England international to leave the club.

 

The report adds Palace and Newcastle have already expressed an interest in recruiting Gallagher on a temporary basis this month, though Potter’s stance on the player has ensured a move has failed to materialise.

 

Gallagher has started both of Chelsea’s previous two top-flight matches against Crystal Palace and Liverpool and earned praise from his manager following his display against the former. “I thought he was fantastic; great energy and great quality,” said Potter a fortnight ago.

 

“He was playing against a team he respects and likes a lot. He’s been frustrated because he hasn’t had the game time that he would like but at the same time, he’s worked unbelievably professionally to support the team. So it’s nice today that he’s got that reward and was part of a winning performance.”