New Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is reportedly to raid former club Leicester by targeting a Foxes midfielder to replace Conor Gallagher.
Gallagher looks set for the exit this summer, with Aston Villa and Tottenham keen on the England international as he enters the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea and Villa have reportedly held preliminary talks, with Villa manager Unai Emery a ‘huge admirer’ of the 24-year-old.
As reported by The Sun, Chelsea will seek a like-for-like replacement for Gallagher by targeting Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who was managed by Maresca this season.
Dewsbury-Hall was an integral part of Leicester’s form in the Championship as they secured an instant return to the Premier League.
The 25-year-old was targeted by Brighton in January, with the Foxes valuing him at £40million.
Maresca is said to be convinced Dewsbury-Hall can make the step up to Chelsea having previously played in the top flight.
Leicester are a club close to his heart. He was born in the city, signed his first professional contract with the club in 2017, and has only ever played for other clubs on loan.
He scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists in 44 Championship matches in a memorable season for Leicester.
In comparison, Gallagher played 50 games for Chelsea during the 2023-24 season, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists.
He was a regular starter in the team, and he is expected to make Gareth Southgate’s final cut for his 26-man squad at this summer’s European Championship.
Despite doubts over his future, Gallagher this week told Sky Sports that he is excited about the prospect of working with new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.
He said: ‘I’ve heard really good things and I’ve seen really good things.
‘Myself and everyone at Chelsea are really happy and excited to work with him.’