Some Chelsea fans have an interesting transfer theory that doesn't include Erling Haaland.
It's all in relation to Blues midfielder Conor Gallagher holding talks with Premier League duo Crystal Palace and Leeds United over a potential loan deal for the 2021/22 season.
The 21-year-old is currently in pre-season training with the Blues and has been with Thomas Tuchel's main group since the players returned to Cobham earlier in the month.
However, having enjoyed a successful season-long loan at West Bromwich Albion in 2020/21, he is a player in demand once again with Leeds and Palace battling it out for his signature.
As football.london have revealed, Leeds put together a very impressive presentation to Gallagher to try to convince him to head to Yorkshire.
Meanwhile, he spoke to new Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira and sporting director Dougie Freedman this week on FaceTime while in Ireland with the Chelsea training camp.
It remains to be seen which club Gallagher chooses, but there's a theory that as Marina Granovskaia - responsible for the transfer deals - closes in on one move, another one is in the works.
As discussed by Chelsea fans on Reddit, if Gallagher leaves it all but guarantees that a new midfielder will be arriving at Stamford Bridge before deadline day.
weeb_man said: "If this goes through it should pretty much guarantee that we're bringing in a midfielder this window. Gallagher leaving after Gilmour went on loan would leave us ridiculously thin in midfield."
SeriousLads said: "If he goes surely that means we’re signing a midfielder? No way we only go into next season with Jorginho/Kante/Kovacic for the 2 midfield roles."
Thegodofreddit said: "If he goes we are light at CM."
ScorpiaHP said: "We need a DM to rotate with Jorgi, not really a box to box type midfielder. Had to be Gilmour or a new signing, with the former out on loan we'll definitely need to sign someone."
Interestingly, Tuchel has already revealed he needs "four strong midfielders" which could prove this transfer theory correct.
"He has three big problems – N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho are three big problems. They are never injured and they perform on a level in central midfield that is not easy to compete with," Tuchel said last season when asked about Billy Gilmour's status.
"This is the only thing.
"This is the situation. Nothing has changed. I am super happy he is here. We need strong four midfielders."
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