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Chelsea are preparing to 'step up' contract talks with Conor Gallagher following his strong start to the season. The 23-year-old had been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in the summer - with Tottenham, West Ham and Liverpool all touted as interested parties.
Gallagher has adapted to Mauricio Pochettino's style of play well - highlighted by the fact he has won possession in the attacking third more times (18) than any other player in Europe's top five leagues this season. Gallagher is currently valued at €60million (£52million) by CIES Football Observatory.
According to 90min, Pochettino is backing the club's plans to extend Gallagher's deal beyond 2025. Chelsea executives are hoping to tie the academy graduate down to a fresh long-term deal before the winter transfer window opens on January 1.
Gallagher appears to be loving life under Pochettino and recently thanked his manager for sticking by him over the summer. "Before I met Pochettino, I wasn’t sure [on my future] because there was so much happening, so many players leaving and coming in," he said in an interview.
"I was buzzing to play under him and stay at Chelsea and prove myself to the club and fans more this season," Gallagher added. Pochettino recently hinted at the 23-year-old's chances of extending his stay.
"First of all, you have to see how they feel, in this case the player and the club, the intentions of either side," he told club media. ''It’s about feeling good together.
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"He’s a player who is doing fantastically. He’s an amazing player and we are so happy with how he is doing things."
Gallagher has just 18 months remaining on his current deal at Stamford Bridge. However, it's clear that Chelsea and Pochettino want him to stay long-term in what would be a huge blow for Spurs and other interested clubs.
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