Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Borussia Dortmund.

The academy graduate has just spent his first full season at his boyhood club, making a total of 21 starts and 23 substitute outings in all competitions.

Despite the 23-year-old not necessarily showing his best form on a consistent basis, he proved to be a valuable squad member under several different managers.

Chelsea are currently going through the process of rejigging their midfield with N'Golo Kante having already left for Al-Ittihad and Mateo Kovacic expected to link up with Manchester City in due course.

Those two departures will effectively result in the England international being promoted up the pecking order in the short term, yet it is known that Chelsea are open to offers for his signature.

Selling Gallagher would hand the West Londoners' coffers a much-needed boost as they bid to meet FFP criteria, at least before they attempt to secure a deal for a replacement that may cost more than Gallagher.

Nevertheless, Gallagher will not be short of offers and Brighton & Hove Albion were recently credited as admirers of his qualities at a time when Chelsea are keen to sign Seagulls midfielder Moises Caicedo.

However, according to Sky Sport Deutschland journalist Florian Plettenburg on Twitter, Dortmund are monitoring the situation ahead of potentially making a formal approach.

Last season's Bundesliga runners-up have money to spend after Jude Bellingham was sold to Real Madrid, yet it must be evenly-distributed due to other exits from Westfalenstadion.

Head coach Edin Terzic has also witnessed long-serving left-back Raphael Guerreiro and midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud leave on free transfers, and the latter position has become a priority to strengthen over the coming weeks.

In the case of Gallagher, Plettenburg adds that he is an 'interesting player but expensive', it being reported in the past that Chelsea want at least £40m for his signature.

Dortmund have also been linked with alternatives, most notably Ajax's Edson Alvarez who is known to be ready to take on a new challenge after missing out on a switch to Chelsea last summer.

Although Dortmund are yet to finalise a deal for the Mexico international, they are eventually expected to get a deal over the line, despite interest from West Ham United. body check tags ::