Reports have claimed that drawn out negotiations over signing Enzo Fernandez ruled out the opportunity for Conor Gallagher to leave Chelsea in January.
According to The Telegraph, there were a number of Premier League clubs interested in signing the midfielder either on loan or permanently.
The 22-year-old was the subject of a £45m bid from Everton two days ago as Chelsea sensed an opportunity to cash in on their academy graduate.
However, it quickly emerged that Gallagher did not want the move to Goodison Park and the relegation battle that would have awaited him.
It was claimed that his many admirers even included a side from the Bundesliga, where young English players have been known to thrive in recent seasons.
However, the Telegraph have claimed that the time taken over securing Fernandez meant they couldn’t green light the sale of Gallagher in case they didn’t secure the Argentinian.
Fernandez deal cost Gallagher move
The Blues smashed their record transfer fee as they brought in the World Cup hero last night after fierce negotiations with his former club Benfica.
It looked numerous times throughout the window as if they weren’t going to be able to get the deal over the line, with club president Rui Costa hesitant to negotiate to Chelsea’s terms.
However, the clubs eventually came to an agreement, seeing Fernandez replace the outgoing Jorginho in midfield.
The Italy international emerged as a shock candidate to join league leaders Arsenal after they failed in their efforts to sign Moises Caicedo.
With only a few months left on his contract at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea believed the fee the Gunners were offering was too much for the club to turn down, with him offering no encouragement that he would resign with them.
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