Sources: Man United told ‘£26m’ Conor Gallagher offer likely to be accepted
Atletico Madrid could be tempted to sell Conor Gallagher in January as Premier League clubs led by Man United monitor his situation.
Over the summer, sources told Football Insider that Gallagher was close to returning to Crystal Palace.
The link was rumoured due to the Englishman falling out of Diego Simeone’s plans, a far from ideal situation with the 2026 World Cup round the corner.
Conversely, Tottenham are also interested in Gallagher, yet it is Man United who have become the latest frontrunners as they scramble for a midfield upgrade in January.
Atletico Madrid ‘open to parting’ with Conor Gallagher on a permanent basis in January
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the number four has become surplus to requirements in Madrid and is being offered out to the highest bidder.
Sources told Football Insider on 22 October that Man United are keeping tabs on Gallagher after Ruben Amorim approved of his potential signing.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast Atletico Madrid’s stance on offloading the ex-Chelsea man, I explained: “It does seem that Atletico would be open to parting with Conor Gallagher in January if they did get a suitable fee.
“I think they will be looking around €30million, so around £26m to let Gallagher move on.
“He started the midweek [26 November] for Atletico against Inter in the Champions League in a rare start, but he’s not been a regular starter under Diego Simeone.
“I think for Gallagher himself, he might be open to considering a move away in January due to his ambitions of trying to break into Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, he’s missed the last three squads that Tuchel’s named for England right now as well.
“He might be thinking he needs to move on in search of regular first team football and to put himself back in the Premier League shop window for Tuchel, if he is to make a late bid for that World Cup squad to America next summer.
“But, I think Atletico turned down a few loan offers for Gallagher in the summer window so they would obviously prefer a permanent sale in January, so that would allow them to bring in a potential replacement as well.”
Man United should offer Kobbie Mainoo in part exchange for Gallagher
The thirst from the Red Devils for a new midfielder needs quenching and Football Insider may have the perfect solution.
Out-of-favour and increasingly frustrated with his lack of minutes, Kobbie Mainoo could be exchanged for Gallagher to help complete the deal in January.
It has been well documented that Amorim would only sanction Mainoo’s exit if a replacement was sourced and the exchange deal would offer that guarantee.
It would be a win-win for both parties by offloading unwanted stars and acquiring talent that would satisfy both clubs’ individual needs.