Chelsea are prepared to consider offers for Conor Gallagher when the transfer window opens next month to raise funds for Mauricio Pochettino to strengthen other areas of his squad.
The England midfield player has 18 months left on his contract and failure to agree terms over the next few weeks could lead to his shock departure midway through the season.
Gallagher has yet to be formally offered a new deal and there is little sign of negotiations progressing. In an intriguing twist some Chelsea figures are understood to be arguing that it makes financial sense to sell the England midfielder player, due to the club’s struggles complying with Premier League spending rules and deficiencies elsewhere in the squad.