Chelsea hand West Ham bitter blow in transfer search for Declan Rice replacement as Pochettino says star IS in his plans
WEST HAM have been dealt a major blow in their attempts to sign a replacement for Declan Rice.
The Hammers are in the market for at least one midfielder following Rice’s £105million switch to London rivals Arsenal.
West Ham are interested in a host of options including James Ward-Prowse, Scott McTominay and Chelsea‘s Conor Gallagher.
The club have even seen a £40million offer rejected for the midfielder.
And now it appears the Blues are even more unwilling to do business with manager Mauricio Pochettino revealed that Gallagher is in his plans.
He said: “Conor [Gallagher] is in our plan, I was talking with him the first day that he arrived that he is in our plan.
“In football, anything can happen. Now I am happy with him and his performance there are still two years on his contract.
“I’m happy with him and his performance. At the moment there’s nothing to say.”
West Ham in turn may have to up their efforts to sign either Ward-Prowse or McTominay as a move for Gallagher looks unlikely.
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Contact has previously been made with Ajax over Mexico’s Edson Alvarez, as well as Juventus and former Chelsea loanee Denis Zakaria.
David Moyes‘ side are however close to completing a deal to bring Manchester City youngster Carlos Borges to the London Stadium.
Meanwhile, Pochettino also admitted that the club are still in the market and are working on bringing in at least one more player.
He added: “Depends on the situation of the different players.
“I think we need one more, we are working on that.”
Chelsea could do with another midfielder with their only senior options being Enzo Fernandez and Gallagher following the exits of N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
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