Crystal Palace ‘hopeful’ of agreeing sensational Conor Gallagher deal in January
Crystal Palace are hopeful of agreeing a deal for Conor Gallagher to return to Selhurst Park and believe the Atletico Madrid star would be open to a return.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 25-year-old is exactly the type of player Palace need.
However, there are doubts about whether Atletico Madrid would give the green light for his exit as Diego Simeone values him as an important part of his squad.
Gallagher has made 26 appearances for the Spanish outfit so far this season, but just eight of those have come from the start, raising questions about his future.
As a result, Football Insider revealed last month that Gallagher is open to a Premier League return, with Man United also counted among his multiple admirers.
Crystal Palace keen on Conor Gallagher reunion
Brown told Football Insider in August that Gallagher is keen to rejoin Crystal Palace, where he is still highly though of after his loan spell in the 2021-22 season.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the midfielder would add much-needed goals to Glasner’s midfield.
“Conor Gallagher may well be a target for Crystal Palace,” he told Football Insider.
“They’re not the only ones interested, but it would certainly make a lot of sense for the club and for him because he wants to get back to playing regularly.
“He’s going to have one eye on that England squad for the World Cup, and starting every week for Crystal Palace would certainly put him in the frame.
“If there’s one thing that Palace need at the moment, it’s goals, and they don’t get enough of those from midfield. You saw that with [Will] Hughes’ chance against Newcastle.
“There’s a lot of reliance on their forwards, and when they’re not doing the business, it usually means Palace will struggle to score.
“Gallagher has shown in the past, even when he was at Palace, he can pop up with a few goals.
“So it’s definitely a deal Palace want to do and one they would benefit greatly from if they could get it over the line.
“It’s just about whether Atletico Madrid will let him go or not, but if they get the green light from them then Palace are hopeful they will be at the front of the queue.”
Crystal Palace plan ‘mega’ January transfer window
The addition of a goalscoring midfielder is not the only target on Palace’s radar in the January transfer window amid plans to heavily bolster their squad.
Brown told Football Insider on 30 December that Crystal Palace want a top-class striker amid concerns about the long-term future of Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Palace have completed the signing of Brennan Johnson from Tottenham already this month, but are showing no signs of slowing down in the market.
Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider that Glasner’s side are planning a mega January window as they eye multiple incoming deals in the next month.
This comes amid concerns about their squad depth during an unprecedented winter schedule for the Eagles, with very few quality options on the bench.
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