According to talkSPORT, Chelsea are demanding a fee in excess of £50 million to sell Conor Gallagher this summer.

Despite the fact that the 24-year-old’s contract at Chelsea expires in a year, he remains at the club.

Gallagher, an England midfielder, is attracting interest from clubs such as Aston Villa and Tottenham.

The Blues are willing to cash in on the academy graduate to help raise funds for profit and sustainability purposes.

Spurs have maintained their interest in Gallagher, having failed to lure him away from Chelsea during the winter transfer window.

However, they balked at Chelsea’s £50 million valuation, which has remained unchanged despite an impressive 2023/24 season.

However, as talkSPORT reported in April, the west London club has yet to offer their academy graduate new contract terms.

Meanwhile, Villa have identified Gallagher as a credible target as they seek to strengthen their squad in preparation for the Champions League next season.

The Villans will be playing in their first European season since 2010, and their first in Europe’s top competition in 41 years.

The former Crystal Palace loanee has emerged as one of Mauricio Pochettino’s most important players.

Gallagher made the most appearances in all competitions, 50, and contributed seven goals and nine assists.

Chelsea fans made their feelings about Gallagher’s future known by unveiling a large banner of him in the club’s most recent third kit ahead of last month’s victory over Tottenham.

And club legend Joe Cole has told the club’s owners that they cannot part ways with the Three Lions star, praising his abilities.

He told talkSPORT: “If I were sitting in front of the owners, I’d tell them that Conor is arguably the most important player in that dressing room in terms of what he brings to the club and how well he understands the club.

“This is before you get into his on-field performances, because I believe everyone has played exceptionally well over the last 56 games. Everyone was playing well.

“Players come off the bench and make a difference in games, but it’s during difficult times that you see what our players are truly worth, when things aren’t going well.

“And Conor was always available, motivating his team and being serious about getting on the ball.

“I believe it’s critical for the club to keep him. I don’t understand the financial side of things.

“I know there’s a benefit to selling players from the academy, and I’ll be honest: I don’t understand that side of it.

“But if you are from a purely footballing perspective, he’s in the top three most important players in that dressing room.”