Newcastle told to pay '£50m' to complete Conor Gallagher deal - pundit
Newcastle United may not be able to fund a move for Chelsea ace Conor Gallagher this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Aston Villa and Tottenham defender Alan Hutton admitted that Gallagher, 24, would be a "major asset" for the Magpies and claimed it would take at least £50million to lure him away from Stamford Bridge.
Well-placed sources have told Football Insider (23 April) that Eddie Howe's side are weighing up a move for the midfielder, who will "definitely" be leaving Chelsea this summer.
The England international will have just 12 months left his his deal at his boyhood club and has also garnered significant interest from Spurs.
Newcastle United able to finance Conor Gallagher coup?
Hutton suggested that Chelsea would be foolish to sell Gallagher due to his influence on the side but was adamant that he would work well at St James' Park.
"I think he'd be a major asset to Newcastle or any team that he went to," he told Football Insider.
"It would be really silly for Chelsea to let him go, even though I understand that they may need to balance their books.
"It would be all profit for them because he came through their youth ranks.
"At the end of the day, he's a top player, so why would they want to lose someone like that?
"If he goes to Newcastle, does he make them a better team? Of course, he does.
"He makes the starting line-up stronger, he makes the squad stronger.
"If he is up for sale, it really depends on what kind of budget Newcastle have to spend this summer as he might be out of their budget.
"Chelsea would ask for up to £50million. It will happen for that.
"But there's no doubt he'd be a massive asset."
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