Chelsea 'consider' shock Conor Gallagher transfer U-turn as unexpected 'agreement' reached

Chelsea have already appointed a new head coach and completed a first transfer of the summer before the window has even opened. That is all about to change though.

If things had already been a bit quickfire and unpredictable (we were talking about Kieran McKenna and Thomas Frank becoming the manager before settling on Enzo Maresca just a few weeks ago) then that is about to be ramped up. On Friday, June 14 the window officially starts and the games can truly begin.

A selection of the players already linked with the club include Michael Olise, Benjamin Sesko (now a no-go), James Trafford (probably not happening), Julian Alvarez (almost certainly not happening), Alvaro Valles, Youssouff Fofana, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Dominic Solanke, Victor Osimhen (also a likely no-go), Artem Dovbyk, and Ivan Toney. This is all before things actually set off.

So here football.london brings you the latest from Stamford Bridge, both ins and outs, with a snippet of analysis of the most recent headlines and reports.

Gallagher contract U-turn

According to the Guardian, Chelsea are open to keeping Conor Gallagher this summer. It is said that if no move is forthcoming for him - both Aston Villa and Tottenham are interested in signing him - then a new deal will be considered.

Although it doesn't go as far as to suggest that a true shift has been made, it is written that their position over the midfielder could yet become a bigger effort to tie him down to a fresh contract rather than trying to ship him out. It is said that the noise at the club around Gallagher has changed, and although they are open to offers for him still, they are also happy to have future talks.

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All scenarios, therefore, remain on the table. Gallagher himself is keen to stay at his boyhood club and won't be forcing an exit.

football.london says: Well, well, well. Better late than never. Gallagher was never going to go without a fight and unsurprisingly Chelsea might have to reconsider their stance. It wouldn't be a surprise.

The club insist that they won't allow players to leave for free and it is a 'sell or sign' situation, but that ignores the power in their own hands. Gallagher, as he has done in the past, will back himself to become a key part of Maresca's squad. The ball is actually in his court no matter how much Chelsea will try and claim otherwise.

They attempted to sell him last year but it cannot be understated how important player decisions are. Ian Maatsen could have left on deadline in the summer of 2023 but again wished to remain. Chelsea can't force them out no matter what the contract circumstances are and ultimately having him is more beneficial than being without.

Duran agreement

Chelsea have not just kept Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran on their radar since looking at him as a possible option in January, but it is now suggested that an agreement has already been reached over a possible transfer. Villa are demanding over £40million for the 20-year-old which has not yet been finalised, but personal terms are said to have been a formality.

Duran has given Chelsea his blessing ahead of other options and he's now the favourite to join as Maresca's new striker. Chelsea are keen to get their No.9 through the door as quickly as possible and don't want it to linger on through the window.

football.london says: Duran is a lot of things, to put it mildly. He's rogue and combustible, but also an unpredictable matchwinner. Is he a manager's dream? Far from it. But will he be the sort of player to get points from moments that only he is able to manufacture? Absolutely. And do managers really need that sometimes when all things aren't going to plan? You bet.

£45milion for a player with just 600 minutes of Premier League experience (and who arrived in England 18 months ago for a third of that and hasn't become a regular under an elite manager like Unai Emery) is a lot of money, but it is also less than Chelsea were prepared to pay for Sesko, and they are actually pretty comparable. The age is similar, the attributes aren't too far away, but PR and hype are against Duran.

What Duran actually is, is a total chaos merchant. He's a nuisance. He's sharp around the box, quick to find space for an effort, collateral in his challenges, as far from shot-shy as one can be, and largely a lot of fun. He just doesn't seem to be very Maresca-like.

A head coach who desires control is being given someone who eats vibes for breakfast and does as he pleases. Can Duran be tamed? Would it be good for him as a player if he could? And in a world of 'club signings' vs 'manager signings' in which 'manager signings' very much don't exist anymore, just what is the plan with Duran and who/why is he being purchased?

These are all questions that must be answered at some stage. But Chelsea have made plenty of signings in the past two years for players in isolation that are good and haven't made it gel. Duran isn't going to be the character to calm things down, but he might spark it to life.