Chelsea 'ready to pay £35m' to replace Gallagher after scrapping transfer rule

Chelsea are reportedly eyeing up Fulham star Andreas Pereira as a replacement for Conor Gallagher, proving they've scrapped their under-25 transfer policy.

Gallagher has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer despite playing his way into England's Euro 2024 squad under Mauricio Pochettino last season.

Tottenham and Aston Villa are said to be interested in the midfielder, who faces an uncertain future with his Blues contract expiring next summer. Chelsea are already making contingency plans for his exit, with reports in Brazil claiming Fulham's Pereira has taken their fancy.

GeGlobo report that Pereira has agreed with Fulham that he will leave Craven Cottage this summer, with Chelsea now lining up an offer between £30m and £35m. If Chelsea move for the 28-year-old, it will further prove that their previously upheld rule of not signing any player over the age of 25 has been thrown to the wind, having already welcomed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (25) and Tosin Adarabioyo (26) to the club this summer.

Given Gallagher's current Chelsea deal has just a year left, now is the best time if the club want to cash in on the £50million-rated Englishman. Chelsea had previously entertained talk of selling him due to the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules after contract talks hit a snag.

Because the 24-year-old came through their academy, any fee received for him would've been banked as pure profit. However, Chelsea aren't in a position where they have to get rid of Gallagher after selling academy products Ian Maatsen and Lewis Hall as well as Omari Hutchinson for a combined fee of £93m.

Pereira's Fulham contract does not expire until 2026 but the same report states that Fulham are aware of his desire to leave and won't stand in his way if their valuation is met.

Currently on a break following Brazil's Copa America quarter-final defeat to Uruguay, Pereira would cost the Blues around £35m and would only be a potential incoming should Gallagher be sold.

Enzo Maresca has already recruited midfielder Dewsbury-Hall this summer but is said to have 'approved' the club's move for Brazilian Pereira. The 25-year-old midfielder joined from Leicester and will be employed to bolster Chelsea's midfield.

They have also already dealt somewhat with their west London rivals Fulham after poaching centre-back Adarabioyo on a free transfer.

Despite seemingly disbanding their rule to recruit any player over the age of 25, Chelsea have still shown a commitment to splash out on young players with huge potential. Along with Dewsbury-Hall and Adarabioyo, the Blues have also spent big on teenagers Marc Guiu and Omari Kellyman as well as 20-year-old Renato Veiga this summer.