Cold weather gives Tottenham Hotspur advantage over Newcastle United for £50m England star

Conor Gallagher favours a move to Tottenham Hotspur over Newcastle United as he prefers to stay in London.

Reports have linked both clubs with the Chelsea midfielder throughout the campaign. The Blues were open to offers last summer but no club matched their £60million valuation.

A bizarre situation unfolded weeks later when Mauricio Pochettino handed Gallagher the armband following Reece James’ long-term injury. The 24-year-old has continued to captain the team despite questions remaining over his future.

Pochettino stayed coy on Gallagher’s contract - which expires next year - when grilled by the media last month. He said: “What am I going to say? I am the head coach. My job is to coach the team and to pick the decisions for tomorrow, for the starting XI and squad, and try to improve the players and try to win games. That is my job.

“We have a very good relationship with the owners and sporting directors. My office is always open and we have a very good relationship and dialogue. We are open to help in the way they think or believe we can help.”

TBR football now claim Gallagher does not want to leave Chelsea but, if he did, the midfielder would only consider another London club. He previously went out on loan to Crystal Palace, where his performances gave him the foundation for a chance at Stamford Bridge.

Newcastle and Spurs both know they can play the long game and keep tabs on Gallagher while he remains deadlocked with Chelsea over a new deal. The Blues are understood to be wanting around £50million for the England international this summer.