Crystal Palace want to sign Conor Gallagher on a permanent deal from Chelsea this summer after his loan spell at Selhurst Park was a major success.

What's the word?

That's according to journalist Dean Jones writing for GIVEMESPORT, who claimed that Palace will be remaining in touch with Gallagher over the summer with manager Patrick Vieira in no doubt about wanting him back at the club. It's said he would be a dream signing for The Eagles.

However, he could get a chance to prove himself at Chelsea, with manager Thomas Tuchel recently confirming that the player will join up with the squad for pre-season where a decision on his future will then be made.

Vieira needs him

Gallagher is vital to Palace's progression, and his contribution to the team will be hard for Vieira to replace if they can't land him on a permanent deal.

Of course there is the possibility of another loan, but the player is likely going to want to leave Chelsea permanently if he isn't guaranteed game time at Stamford Bridge.

If that happens you would fancy Palace to be his first choice, however other clubs will be in the race, with recent reports saying that Everton are interested in the player. For Chelsea, it may be a case of whoever is willing to pay the most.

He is rated at £22.5m, but given his impressive performances over the past season, it wouldn't be surprising if his parent club want more.

In 39 appearances for The Eagles he had 13 direct goal contributions, scoring the second most in the team, after Wilfried Zaha.

His overall statistics are impressive. When you compare him to his positional peers in Europe's top five leagues over the last year, he ranks in the top 1o% for goal creating actions.

The England international has been described as a "gem" by podcaster Reev who thinks he should be "on the plane to Qatar".

The 22-year-old also has an incredible work rate. When compared against the same group he ranks in the top 3% for pressures in the attacking third and top 6% for tackles in the attacking third.

With that in mind, it's hardly a surprise that another podcaster in the form of Dan Cook described him as "outrageous".

If he's producing numbers on those levels right now, just imagine how good he can become as he develops. Wherever he ends up playing he will be a huge asset to the team.

Palace and Vieira will be hoping he stays with them and helps improve on their solid 12th place finish.

IN other news: Contact made: Vieira now plots CPFC move for £27m-rated gem, he's a "tackling machine"...