Conor Gallagher has confessed he is seeking greater involvement at Atletico Madrid following speculation regarding a potential switch to Manchester United. The Red Devils’ widely documented weaknesses in the centre of the park have naturally prompted the club to explore prospective options in the market.
Among the players linked during the summer window was the 25-year-old England international, though a transfer never came to fruition as Atletico would only consider a permanent deal. Gallagher, who departed boyhood club Chelsea for the Spanish capital in the summer of 2024 in a £34million transaction, racked up 50 appearances in his debut campaign in Spain.
While he has remained a consistent presence in matchday squads, his playing time has largely been restricted to substitute cameos. This has sparked suggestions that Gallagher is discontent at Atletico, while also intensifying rumours that United, considering their requirements in midfield, have revived their pursuit of him before the January window opens.
TalkSPORT claimed last month that Atleti are demanding £35m for Gallagher, who has featured from the start in just two La Liga fixtures this term, whereas United continue to favour a temporary arrangement. The former Blues skipper has now commented on the conjecture surrounding his future and suggestions that he might make the move to Old Trafford in January during a conversation with AS.
When questioned about his contentment with his present situation, he responded: “No, no, of course not. I’m not satisfied. I don’t think anyone is if they’re not playing as much as they’d like, but I’ll keep working very hard to help the team whenever I have the chance, and hopefully more opportunities to be a starter will come.”
He crucially added: “I’m very happy here. My goal is to win titles with Atleti and I want to have a bigger role in the team. And, as I’ve said, I’m going to keep working as hard as I can to play more minutes and help the team.” His remarks indicate he could become increasingly dissatisfied with his situation at Atletico should Diego Simeone persist in deploying him from the substitutes’ bench during the coming weeks, potentially benefiting United’s pursuit.
A temporary arrangement until the campaign’s conclusion would suit Ruben Amorim ideally, strengthening his squad for the remaining fixtures whilst providing sufficient information to evaluate a permanent transfer for Gallagher come summer. Nevertheless, emerging reports indicate United are simultaneously pursuing Brighton prospect Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson as potential midfield reinforcements next summer.
With both players valued at approximately £100m apiece, the attention towards them implies United regard the duo as their principal targets regarding prospective midfield recruitments.