West Ham United travel to the south coast to face Bournemouth in their Premier League season opener on Saturday.
The Hammers will be without Declan Rice following the midfielder’s £105 million move to Arsenal last month, but David Moyes will be hoping that his side can get the better of the Cherries.
Some of the money made from the sale of Rice has been spent already, with Edson Alvarez arriving from Ajax in a deal worth around £30 million.
Now, though, it appears that the East London outfit are hoping to recruit another new midfielder.
As per Football Insider, the Hammers are set to battle it out with rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher.
The England international enjoyed his first season in the senior side at Stamford Bridge last term and impressed, making 45 appearances across all competitions.
Gallagher is wanted by both West Ham and Tottenham
Gallagher, 22, could see his playing time limited this season though, as the Blues close in on the British record signing of Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo.
The Blues are also said to be closing in on the signing of Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, 19, which would further hinder Gallagher’s chances of featuring regularly next season.
With that in mind, both West Ham and Spurs are hoping to sign Gallagher, who is currently contracted to Chelsea until 2025.
Newcastle United were previously interested in the midfielder but have since signed Sandro Tonali from Italian side AC Milan, leaving Spurs and the Hammers as Gallagher’s most likely potential suitors.
The Englishman has previously spent time on loan at both West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace, and will make his 100th Premier League appearance if he is involved when Chelsea host Liverpool on Sunday.
Gallagher has featured regularly for Chelsea during pre-season, and new manager Mauricio Pochettino has previously insisted that the player is part of his plans for the upcoming campaign.