Manchester United are interested in completing a deal for Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher in the January transfer window.
The Red Devils may have found their true form for the first time under manager Ruben Amorim, but it’s also clear they need reinforcements in midfield, whether it’s in January or next summer.
Although Casemiro has recently found his goalscoring boots, he feels almost certain to leave United at the end of the season and, with his contract expiring, bringing in a young replacement to keep the troops together in front of the defence will be key.
Additionally, Manuel Ugarte, the club’s 20th most expensive signing, has struggled to find a viable deal since joining, Mason Mount continues to be injury-prone, and Amorim generally lacks the depth in midfield that he requires.
Gallagher has been linked with a move to United in the past, with the England international considering a potential move, but now new updates regarding a move to Old Trafford have emerged.
Manchester United want to seal deal with Conor Gallagher
Fabrizio Romano has claimed on his YouTube channel that Manchester United remain interested in signing Gallagher on loan from Atletico, with a January move possible.
“I’ve said several times that Man United would like to sign a midfielder, but at the moment it may be difficult to sign a very expensive midfielder in the January transfer window. A player like[Carlos]Baleva probably won’t even be available.”
“Similarly, Angelo Stiller could have a chance. One name Manchester United considered on the last day of the summer transfer window was Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher. Conor Gallagher remains an option in case Atletico Madrid decide to open the door to a loan move. At the moment, Gallagher is solely focused on Atletico Madrid.”
“The interest from Manchester United has been real since August, but Gallagher is one of the options they have in case it could be a typical general signing. So we’ll keep an eye on things. But Gallagher is a name we have to keep out there.”
There is much to admire about United’s Gallagher, not least the fact that he already has extensive Premier League experience from his time at Chelsea and Crystal Palace, with then-manager Frank Lampard describing his work rate as “amazing”.
The 25-year-old has featured in 136 games in all competitions and Atletico’s legendary manager Diego Simeone has praised his intense style of play.
“It’s never easy for a player from England to adapt to the Spanish Championship and the language. He has competed very well in different places and in positions where he is no longer comfortable. He will evolve, he has room to grow. He is very intense both offensively and defensively and brings us a lot.”
Gallagher brings much-needed legs to United’s midfield and could be an upgrade on Ugarte, with the team ethic to make him a favorite at Old Trafford from the off-season. The fact that he has started just two La Liga games this season also means he could be open to a new challenge.
