Journalist David Ornstein has revealed that Newcastle United and other interested teams could not sign Conor Gallagher this January because they failed to offer enough money.

What's the word?

In the later stages of the winter window, the Magpies were heavily linked with making a move for the Chelsea midfielder in the remainder of the January transfer window.

On top of that, Everton were also keen on the Englishman but supposedly Gallagher wasn't up for that move and so he looks set to stay with the Blues for the time being.

Amid all this interest, it now turns out that Newcastle may have made a genuine approach for the player too but they didn't offer enough to tempt Chelsea into letting their man go.

Speaking for The Athletic, Ornstein said: (1:04): "Chelsea may have considered, though, a permanent deal. However, none of the approaches that came into them were anywhere near the level that they value him at – which I think is as high as sort of £50m.

“And that's largely reflective of the fact that Conor Gallagher is a homegrown player. He's young, 22 years old, and Chelsea are quite keen to build this young nucleus – like a youth movement, as it's being described to me.

"And they see him as perfect for that and quite important to it. So it would have had to be something to blow them away for them to consider it and that hasn't happened.

“Equally, If that happens between now and the deadline, you can never say never, but there's no anticipation that it will. All approaches so far have been knocked back."

Worth the spend?

Seeing as Gallagher has struggled to establish himself in the Chelsea team so far this season, with just nine starts in the Premier League this season, it's easy to see why teams might have been unwilling to spend huge sums on him – such as the £50m touted.

Even so, it makes sense for the Blues to value their player highly seeing as he is still just 22 years old, has already played for England on four occasions, and impressed with eight league goals last term on loan with Crystal Palace.

It remains unclear just how far Newcastle went with their interest and whether they made a loan or a transfer approach but if they are still keen on the player in the long term it looks as though they'll have to come in with a hefty bid this summer.