Garth Crooks suggested the Crystal Palace owners should buy Conor Gallagher off Chelsea outright at the next available opportunity.
Gallagher earned a spot in Crooks’ BBC Team of the Week for his contribution towards Palace’s impressive – if not very surprising – Premier League triumph over Manchester City on Saturday.
The young midfielder was involved in both goals, setting up the first and scoring the second.
He supplied Wilfred Zaha to put Palace into an early lead, before finishing like a seasoned striker in the final few minutes.
But the 21-year-old’s influence upon Patrick Vieira’s side has not just been limited to the Etihad Stadium on the weekend.
Pay up, Palace
Since his summer move across the capital from Stamford Bridge to Selhurst Park, Gallagher has started all but one game for the Eagles.
Incidentally, the only match he missed was against his parent club, Chelsea, on the top flight’s opening weekend.
Aside from Zaha, the England Under-21 international is the jewel in Vieira’s crown.
Unfortunately, Chelsea might ask for their gem to be returned at the end of the season, as they look to capitalise on the player’s priceless efforts.
Palace will undoubtedly attempt to tie down Gallagher permanently, a move Crooks think they should initiate after the New Year.
“It was the steal by Gallagher on Aymeric Laporte, followed by the pass to Wilfried Zaha, that gave Palace the lead, and deservedly so, against City,” said the former Tottenham Hotspur forward.
“The young Englishman is playing brilliantly at the moment and was outstanding at City.
“Currently on loan from Chelsea, manager Vieira has made it no secret he would like to buy the midfielder if he had the cash.
“Good try Patrick, but pleading poverty won’t help the negotiations. Gallagher’s fee is going up with every game.
“Do the deal with Chelsea now, shake hands on it and fill in the paperwork in January.”
Money talks
How much Gallagher will go for has not yet been made clear.
But, as Crooks rightly mentioned, his stock is rising by every passing second.
Come the campaign’s conclusion, the price tag of Cobham’s star pupil could be out of Palace’s range.
If they are to keep the cost down, striking an agreement with Chelsea in the next transfer window may be the best option.
But will the Blues really want to lose such a talented player of their own? It seems highly unlikely.
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