Chelsea would ‘consider’ Liverpool ‘approach’ as Klopp puts midfielder ‘high up’ on summer wishlist

Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher is ‘high up’ on Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s transfer wishlist ahead of the summer window, according to a report.

Gallagher enjoyed a successful loan spell with Crystal Palace last season but opted against a permanent transfer to fight for his place at Stamford Bridge.

The 23-year-old has played 33 times across all competitions this term, though he has only started 12 games.

Despite his lack of playing time, Gallagher was named in Gareth Southgate’s most recent England squad.

He was brought off the bench late on in the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine, respectively.

His long-term future at Stamford Bridge is in doubt and he could be one of the players sacrificed as Todd Boehly looks to balance the books.

Boehly has spent close to £600million in the previous two transfer windows so will look to sell a few first-team players this summer.

Newcastle, Everton and Crystal Palace have all been linked with Gallagher in recent months and now Liverpool have been added to the mix.

The Reds are expected to sign at least two midfielders in the summer transfer window and have made Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham their top target.

It has been a poor season for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp will need to be strongly backed by the club’s hierarchy when the transfer window re-opens.

Gallagher would be a good signing for the Reds given his energetic style of play.

They have also been linked with the England midfielder’s club and international teammate, Mason Mount, who also strikes me as a player well-suited to Klopp’s style of play.

According to The Independent, Gallagher has been ‘identified’ by Klopp as a summer target.

Usually, it would be difficult for Liverpool to sign a player from another one of the big six clubs in the Premier League, but Chelsea being ‘under pressure’ to sell has strengthened their pursuit.

Financial Fair Play and the squad size mean the Blues must offload a few first-team players, even if they meet the homegrown quota.

They would ‘at least consider an approach’ for Gallagher – who is evidently not untouchable.

There is a feeling that the England man – who is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2025 – would ‘suit’ Liverpool.

His future in west London has been made even more uncertain by the announcement on Sunday evening that .

The club confirmed in a club statement that Bruno Saltor will take charge as interim head coach.