{"id":565824,"date":"2020-09-14T12:56:28","date_gmt":"2020-09-14T16:56:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=565824"},"modified":"2020-09-14T12:56:28","modified_gmt":"2020-09-14T16:56:28","slug":"report-west-bromwich-albion-close-to-sealing-loan-deal-for-chelseas-conor-gallagher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/09\/14\/report-west-bromwich-albion-close-to-sealing-loan-deal-for-chelseas-conor-gallagher\/","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: West Bromwich Albion Close to Sealing Loan Deal for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher"},"content":{"rendered":"

West Bromwich Albion<\/a> are close to signing Chelsea<\/a> youngster Conor Gallagher on a season-long loan, according to Steve Madeley of The Athletic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

West Bromwich Albion Close to Signing Conor Gallagher on Loan<\/h2>\n

Long-Term Interest<\/h3>\n

The Baggies have held a long-term interest in the 20-year-old. Slaven Bilic has been keen to take the midfielder on loan throughout much of this summer.<\/p>\n

However, they have faced competition from several clubs. It looked like he would be joining Crystal Palace<\/a> on loan earlier this month, but the Eagles opted to sign Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi<\/a> on loan instead.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, both Leeds United<\/a> and Aston Villa<\/a> have been keen to sign Gallagher. According to the Daily Mail<\/a>, newly-promoted Leeds were interested in signing him on a permanent deal.<\/p>\n

However, it now looks like Gallagher will be moving to The Hawthorns on a season-long loan.<\/p>\n

The 20-year-old enjoyed two successful loan spells in the Championship last season. His first, with Charlton Athletic, saw him score six goals and register two assists.<\/p>\n

After impressing at The Valley, Gallagher moved up the Championship table, joining play-off chasing Swansea City<\/a>. While he failed to score, he did put on six goals for his team-mates as Steve Cooper’s side reached the play-off semi-finals.<\/p>\n

Potential to Be an Excellent Signing for the Baggies<\/h3>\n

The arrival of Gallagher has potential to be an excellent signing for the Baggies.<\/p>\n

Slaven Bilic’s side lacked an attacking presence in the centre of midfield in their 3-0 defeat to Leicester City<\/a>. While Gallagher is more of a box-to-box midfielder, he will certainly bring an extra presence to the Baggies’ midfield.<\/p>\n

The 20-year-old will also fill the void left by Filip Krovinovic. The Croatian scored three goals and registered two assists last season, as the Baggies were promoted via automatic promotion.<\/p>\n

Bilic is also close to shoring up his defence, as former Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic<\/a> is close to joining.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>