Aston Villa are reportedly interested in capturing the services of a certain Chelsea midfielder.

What's the word?

The player in question is Conor Gallagher and it is a move that Midlands-based football journalist Josh Holland "could see" happening this summer, as per GIVEMESPORT.

As stated by the media outlet, the 22-year-old is believed to be attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs following his successful loan spell at Crystal Palace in the 2021/22 season, with Villa Park listed as a possible destination for the England international.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT on Villa's chances of securing a deal for Gallagher, Holland said: “That’d be a move I could see.

“It probably won’t be a permanent deal, they’d have to settle for a loan move, but the logistics of it are whether (Steven) Gerrard and the Villa chiefs would want to loan a rival’s player, making him a better player and then in a year’s time be worse off without him.

“And Chelsea will be benefiting, so that’s one for Gerrard to decide, I’m sure.”

Gerrard surely delighted

Quite simply, the signing of a player like Gallagher could well be one which helps to take the Villans to the next level.

With both Philippe Coutinho and Emi Buendia being primarily attack-minded options, John McGinn is the one senior Villa midfielder who can efficiently cover both phases of the game. Douglas Luiz is much more defensive-minded, which could cost Villa throughout the transitional phase to attack.

With eight goals and three assists in 34 games, Gallagher had a breakout season at Selhurst Park; and amidst uncertainty over the regularity of game-time at Chelsea, he may look to pastures new this summer, with a World Cup dream with England still entirely possible given that three of his four caps have come this year.

A move back to Crystal Palace in some capacity would seem an obvious one, but with recent reports of a tactical change by Patrick Vieira to embed a five-at-the-back setup, that may prove too much of a gamble for the 22-year-old.

Villa represent the perfect level of ambition, judging by their transfer activity in recent months, and would likely be able to offer Gallagher a starting place. It's a move which could work wonders for both parties, and it needs to happen this summer.

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