Chelsea 'desperate' to sanction Conor Gallagher exit as Tottenham transfer hijack mooted

Chelsea are "desperate" to offload Conor Gallagher ahead of the transfer deadline as Tottenham consider hijacking his exit, according to Alan Hutton.

The England international had travelled to Spain to complete a move to Atletico Madrid but is now back in London as negotiations continue between the two clubs to try and salvage a potential deal [BBC Sport, 14 August].

Ange Postecoglou's side are known admirers of the 24-year-old and it has been suggested that they could look to take advantage of Gallagher's stalled move to swoop in and secure his services [Football London, 17 July].

Although Hutton has previously said that Enzo Maresca's side wouldn't be willing to sell one of their stars to a rival, he believes the Blues will do everything they can to get rid of Gallagher in the next two weeks

"I feel that Chelsea need a lot of players out," Hutton exclusively told Tottenham News.

"They've had so many incomings, somebody showed me a picture and it had their whole squad laid out and it is incredible, I don't even know you manage all of that.

"I think they will be desperate to offload players that are probably not going to be used for the season coming up and unfortunately Conor Gallagher comes under that bracket.

"There will be a lot of teams in the Premier League looking at this situation at the moment and thinking they can get a good deal here."

Will Conor Gallagher exit Chelsea amid Tottenham transfer rumours?

As Hutton has suggested, Chelsea's desperation could play into Spurs' hands this summer, especially if the Blues aren't able to reach an agreement with Atletico Madrid in the coming days.

Postecoglou is understood to be eager to bolster his midfield options between now and the end of the transfer window and on paper, Gallagher appears to be the perfect fit to slot into the Australian's system in North London.

If the Lilywhites could match or even potentially better Atletico's bid for the 24-year-old, it would give Chelsea a decision to make. Do they risk strengthening a rival, or instead risk his move to Spain collapsing completely?

Ultimately, the ball is now in Spurs and Daniel Levy's court. It will be interesting to see if they make a genuine approach for Gallagher before his move to Atletico is tied up.

In other Tottenham news, Dane Scarlett is in the "shop window" after a new transfer development in North London this summer

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