Spurs swoop to beat West Ham to ‘Declan Rice lite’ Conor Gallagher and have already held talks

Spurs have swooped to try and beat West Ham to ‘Declan Rice lite’ Conor Gallagher and have already held talks over a move.

West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur have already shared a fair few column inches during the summer transfer window.

The Hammers and Spurs were both heavily linked with a move for Harvey Barnes – who is now set to join Newcastle.

West Ham were linked with James Maddison before he joined rivals Tottenham.

And both David Moyes and Ange Postecoglou have also been linked with a move for brilliant PSV midfielder Ibrahim Sangare.

West Ham did beat Spurs to the appointment of new technical director Tim Steidten – which many believe could be the most significant signing of the summer.

Now it seems West Ham and Tottenham have another mutual target as Moyes and Postecoglou look to rebuild the heart of their midfield.

Because Spurs have swooped to try and beat West Ham to ‘Declan Rice lite’ Conor Gallagher and have already held talks.

It has been reported in the last 48 hours that West Ham were ‘closing in’ on the £25-30m signing of Chelsea and England midfielder Gallagher as a replacement for Rice – who joined Arsenal for a British record £105m at the weekend.

Multiple sources – including Sky Sports Germany and Football Insider – claim West Ham are in ‘advanced negotiations to sign longstanding target Gallagher.

Chelsea are raising funds to offset against their unprecedented spending of the last year.

But it seems it is not only West Ham that are trying to take advantage.

The Guardian claims Tottenham are not only trying to beat West Ham to Gallagher but have already held talks for the star, who has been described as a ‘Declan Rice lite’ by fans and the likes of Wayne Rooney.

“Conor Gallagher is being pursued by West Ham and Tottenham…” The Guardian reports.

“Although Mauricio Pochettino is short of options in central midfield, further exits have not been ruled out and there are doubts over Gallagher’s future at his boyhood club.

“Spurs have held talks over a move for the England international, who has two years on his contract, and West Ham are keen to sign two midfielders after selling Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105m. Borussia Dortmund, Everton and Newcastle have previously targeted Gallagher, who had loans at Charlton, Swansea and Crystal Palace before breaking into Chelsea’s first-team squad last season…

“His energy and goalscoring threat appeal to Spurs, who could find it tough to negotiate with Chelsea, and West Ham.”

The key piece of good news for West Ham is in that last line.

Because it may be that Chelsea prefer to sell to West Ham than big rivals Tottenham.

Fans will find out soon enough.