West Ham ‘offer £40m for Chelsea ace Conor Gallagher’ in desperate transfer bid to replace Arsenal signing Declan Rice

WEST HAM have reportedly launched a £40million bid for Chelsea star Conor Gallagher.

That’s as they look to finally begin spending Declan Rice’s £105m Arsenal fee.

West Ham have launched a £40m bid for Chelsea midfielder Conor GallagherGetty

West Ham bid farewell to their skipper earlier this month after weeks of negotiations with the Gunners.

But after his transfer to the Emirates finally went through, David Moyes has now been given funds to strengthen his Europa Conference League-winning squad.

And Fabrizio Romano claims Chelsea academy product Gallagher is at the top of the Scot’s shopping list.

The tireless midfielder, 23, is thought to be a target for Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham.

But West Ham have stolen a march on their London rivals by offering £40m to Chelsea.

The Blues have been enjoying a mega clear-out under Mauricio Pochettino, who is a fan of Gallagher.

But he reportedly respects Todd Boehly’s decision to cash in on the England international, who has just two years remaining on his contract.

And Chelsea will now hold further talks with West Ham over payments structures, as well as other details.

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Gallagher has been at Stamford Bridge since 2008 but only made his first-team debut last season.

He played 45 times under Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard, bagging three goals in the process.

Gallagher could now be replaced by Moises Caicedo, who is the subject of two failed bids from Chelsea.

But Brighton are holding out for £100million, or a deal that involves Levi Colwill moving in the opposite direction.

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