Charlton Athletic's Head of Recruitment Steve Gallen is confident that loan star Conor Gallagher is likely to stay with the Addicks beyond the January transfer window.
On loan from Chelsea for the season, Gallagher has been one of the more impressive players at The Valley this season and in a press conference introducing the new Charlton owners East Street Investments to the media, Gallen spoke about the Gallagher situation.
The 19-year-old is gaining his first season of regular football in a senior environment as he has struck six goals in 25 appearances for his loan club this season from the centre of midfield.
Test your knowledge of Charlton Athletic with this quiz - Can you get 15 out of 15?
It was thought that Frank Lampard was set to recall Gallagher back to Stamford Bridge this January and loan him out to another club with Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion, Norwich and Burnley all in the race for him, but it now appears that Chelsea are set to honour their loan agreement with the Addicks.
The 19-year-old has been in the Chelsea academy and overcame recovery from surgery on his heart in 2018, before forging a career in senior football as the Chelsea prospect has a bright future ahead.
The Verdict
Gallagher is performing well for Charlton despite their lowly position in the table, and The Valley is the best place for him with the guarantee of regular football at a high level.
The midfielder will only continue to get better as Charlton now look to pull themselves away from a relegation scrap, and the teenager is vital to the style that Lee Bowyer likes to play with his Addicks side.