Conor Gallagher confirms where he wants to play next season amid Tottenham links

Conor Gallagher has dealt a significant blow to Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa by announcing his enthusiasm for working with new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.

Gallagher has been on Tottenham's radar for the past year, with reports suggesting that manager Ange Postecoglou marked him as a key target upon his arrival at Hotspur Way last summer, as noted by Fabrizio Romano for GiveMeSport.

Given Gallagher's contract at Stamford Bridge is set to expire in just one year, Tottenham might see the upcoming transfer window as the perfect opportunity to secure the 24-year-old midfielder.

Furthermore, recent reports indicate that Chelsea needs to generate substantial funds by the end of June to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), making Gallagher a potential candidate for sale.

However, Tottenham's pursuit of the England international is complicated by Aston Villa's interest in securing his services, according to recent reports from the Independent.

Conor Gallagher confirms where he wants to play next season amid Tottenham links

Gallagher has recently made his intentions clear, expressing his desire to stay at Chelsea and work under Maresca. He told Sky Sports (h/t Fabrizio Romano): “Myself and everyone at Chelsea are excited and happy to work with Enzo Maresca. We want to get Chelsea back to where they belong!”

Throughout this transfer saga, it has been well-documented that Gallagher is not desperate to leave Chelsea. The club is pushing for his departure due to their PSR issues.

While Gallagher's statement aligns with his long-stated preference to stay at Stamford Bridge, it does not completely eliminate the possibility of a summer exit. Chelsea's financial situation may still necessitate his sale, and both Tottenham and Aston Villa will likely continue to monitor the situation closely.

Gallagher's expressed commitment to Chelsea and Maresca complicates the transfer prospects for Tottenham and Aston Villa. However, the looming financial pressures on Chelsea mean that a move away from Stamford Bridge is still within the realm of possibility.