Man Utd to return for Conor Gallagher in January – but there’s a catch

Manchester United are poised to make another approach for Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher in January, according to a report.

The England international has been playing in Spain since leaving Chelsea in a bizarre transfer last summer. Gallagher was pushed out of his boyhood club for financial reasons and traded for Joao Felix, who has since left the Blues for Al-Nassr.

Unfortunately for Gallagher, his move to the Spanish capital hasn’t quite worked out as intended. He was in and out of the side last season, and his prospects of regular game time look even slimmer this time around as Atletico Madrid signed several midfielders over the summer.

He has played only 161 minutes across five games so far this term, starting just twice. He seemingly saw the writing on the wall already in the summer, as several Premier League clubs approached him late in the window, likely not without encouragement from the player.

However, Atleti were only willing to entertain a permanent move, which neither his former club Crystal Palace nor Man Utd could offer at the time, forcing him to stay put.

Gallagher to move in January?

According to TBR Football, the interest in Gallagher remains, and it is not inconceivable that he will leave the Rojiblancos in January should he continue to be merely a squad player under Diego Simeone.

Man Utd are expected to be involved again come the winter window, but it is unclear if he would even be willing to join them. This isn’t because of his Chelsea allegiance but rather due to the fact that he wants to move to a Champions League side.

That’s why it is being claimed that Tottenham and Newcastle are both ahead of Man Utd in the race to sign the 25-year-old. That said, a lot can obviously still change in the next three months.

Despite Atleti’s summer stance, a January loan and potential return in the summer is not being entirely ruled out. The most important thing for Gallagher is to play regularly ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

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