Mauricio Pochettino's straightforward Chelsea transfer message hints at Conor Gallagher decision

The latest on Conor Gallagher's future with Mauricio Pochettino's recent transfer comments perhaps hinting that the Chelsea midfielder could stay put this summer

The future of Conor Gallagher remains up in the air now that we are in the final month of the summer transfer window.

Gallagher is open to leaving Chelsea before the conclusion of the summer transfer window and the club will listen to offers for the England international. However, they believe the midfielder is worth around £50million, which is why they rejected West Ham's opening offer of £40million.

The Hammers are looking to sign at least two new central midfielders following the £105million sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal. Gallagher remains on their radar, although it remains to be seen whether they will come back in with another proposal.

Gallagher has been used by Mauricio Pochettino in all four pre-season matches thus far and the England midfielder has been on target in half of those games. Rather unbelievably considering he is just 23 years old, Gallagher is actually Chelsea's most senior and experienced central midfielder.

Enzo Fernandez (22), Andrey Santos (19), Carney Chukwuemeka (19) and Cesare Casadei (20) complete a very inexperienced – but highly promising – crop of central midfielders available to Pochettino. Lewis Hall, who has played more as a left-back in the first-team, can also play in the centre of midfield but there is talk that the 18-year-old will leave the club on loan this summer.

Pochettino has made no secret of his desire to add more experience to his midfield. He was asked about the incoming Lesley Ugochukwu, who is expected to be officially announced as a Chelsea player this week but will then go back out on loan as the club look for the 19-year-old to get more senior experience elsewhere.

The triple departure of midfielders N'Golo Kante (32), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (27) and Mateo Kovacic (29) has seen three experienced and senior figures in the dressing room leave the club this summer, leaving the Blues not only short of options in the middle of the pitch, but also leaders. Gallagher may only be in his early 20s but he has already racked up almost 100 appearances in the Premier League – including 35 for Chelsea last season.

As mentioned above, there is an openness from both parties to part company in the next few weeks. If a deal, however, is unable to be done, then it could definitely benefit Chelsea to have an experienced – albeit young – option at their disposal for the upcoming campaign.