Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino says "both sides need to feel good like a marriage" as contract negotiations rumble on with Conor Gallagher.
The midfielder's current deal at Stamford Bridge runs until 2025 and though he is in talks over a new one, the Blues were open to a sale during the summer transfer window.
Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur were among Gallagher's admirers, but neither were willing to meet Chelsea's £50m asking price.
90min understands that Tottenham remain interested in Gallagher, particularly with contract talks failing to meaningfully progress in recent months. Chelsea are reluctant to let him enter the last year-and-a-half of his deal and risk losing him on a free transfer or at a reduced price, leaving the door open for a January move if an agreement can't be reached.
At a press conference ahead of Saturday's west London derby at home to Brentford, Pochettino was asked whether he would like Gallagher to stay and sign a new contract.
"It is like a marriage between the player and club, both sides need to feel good and that is why this moment you can arrive at a new deal," the Argentine replied.
"Even if you want to extend the contract, you stop and speak. Of course, he is a player that is doing fantastic. We are so happy with how he is doing."
Though he is competing for a starting spot alongside two midfielders who cost Chelsea over £100m each in Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, Gallagher has been one of Pochettino's better and more dependable players so far this season.
Gallagher has captained his boyhood club in three of their last four Premier League matches in the absence of Reece James and Ben Chilwell.
He has also maintained his place in Gareth Southgate's England squad, earning two further caps in friendly wins against Scotland and Australia over the autumn.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Mauricio Pochettino offers cryptic 'marriage' update on Conor Gallagher contract.