Everton: Blow for Lampard as £22.5m target set to stay at current club after meeting with manager

Everton boss Frank Lampard is inclined towards refreshing the midfield this summer and bringing new faces in the midfield. Everton had shown interest in signing Conor Gallagher from Chelsea after his successful loan spell at Crystal Palace.

At Crystal Palace, Gallagher was voted as the player of the year for his staggering impact in the engine room of the team. The Englishman scored eight goals and assisted five in 39 appearances for the Eagles. His slingshot to prominence arose questions over his future beyond the loan spell.

Gallagher has been a gem of a player at Palace, contributing in the attacking phase of the game. Gallagher produced 2.8 shot creating actions per 90 minutes while also completing 1.5 successful dribbles per game. His perfectly weighted passes and the vision to spot an attacking player making a dangerous run make him an asset to have it the team.

Gallagher was sent out on loan last season because the Englishman would have struggled for playing time at Chelsea. The 22 year old clocked 2851 minutes in the Premier League, a figure he would have never reached if he remained at Stamford Bridge.

Everton wanted Conor Gallagher

Everton were said to be interested in Gallagher along with Palace and West Ham United. For Gallagher, he has always wanted to succeed at Chelsea. Ahead of next season, the 22 year old was set to have a meeting with Thomas Tuchel to decide his future at the club.

According to football.london, Tuchel has confirmed that Gallagher will not be a rotational player but instead will be an important part of the manager’s plans next season. The Englishman is set to return to Chelsea and fight for his place in the team.

This possibly will be music to the ears of Chelsea fans but not so much to Everton fans. Gallagher is one of the most promising midfielders in the country right now and having him even on loan would’ve done a big deal of good for the Toffees.

Everton will be more active on other targets like Cheick Doucoure. Signing a midfielder should be an absolute priority this summer as Donny van de Beek is set to return to Manchester United. Fabian Delph’s deal runs out and so far there are no indications over his renewal and the possibility of shifting Andre Gomes as well will leave Everton with bare minimum options in the midfield.

But as it appears, Gallagher is now out of reach.

With Conor Gallagher deal out of question, which midfielder should the Royal Blues target?