Man United and Tottenham eye move for £35m England international after summer transfer snub
The Red Devils reportedly tried to sign the midfielder on loan in the summer transfer window.
Manchester United’s main transfer priorities were filled in the summer. They signed a new number nine in Benjamin Sesko, a new goalkeeper in Senne Lammens, and managed to offload several players who were in Ruben Amorim’s ‘bomb squad’.
However, the Red Devils failed to make any additions in central midfield, an area where they are thin on the ground. Bruno Fernandes has been starting in a deeper role, alongside the likes of Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro; however, the pair haven’t been performing at their best.
Both Tottenham and United are keen to improve in midfield, and they have both been linked to signing an England international midfielder in January, who United reportedly tried to sign late on in the summer window.
Man Utd’s Conor Gallagher move snubbed late in the summer
The Red Devils reportedly tried to make a move to sign former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid in the summer. A report by TeamTalk includes details that say United wanted to sign Gallagher on loan, but, Atletico only wanted a permanent sale for Gallagher if he was to leave.
Man United decided against a permanent move for the English midfielder, creating a stalemate. However, the same report says that United are still interested in Gallagher as he is a proven Premier League player, who they know is capable of performing at the level, matching the signings of Cunha and Mbeumo’s blueprint.
Tottenham are also understood to be keen on Gallagher, with both sides contenders to go after him in the January transfer window. It would be a solid investment for United, as Gallagher is only estimated to be worth around £35m, making him a much cheaper option compared to some of United’s other targets.
Gallagher happy at Madrid despite irregular game time
Since his move to Madrid, the former Chelsea midfielder has been a reliable option for Diego Simeone, however, a lot of his appearances have been from the bench, which would normally push a player to seek a move away.
However, it is understood that Gallagher is happy at Atletico. Speaking to La Liga TV at the end of last season, he said: “I love playing for Atleti, it’s a really special club. This is (my) first season, and I think there’s more to come from me, which is really exciting.
“I’m happy to play anywhere on the pitch for the manager, of course, I want to make the box and score goals, I wanted to do that more so this season than I have.” Since joining the club, Gallagher has made 57 appearances, scoring five goals, and providing six assists.
He was always more of an attacking midfielder in the Premier League, but is now playing a deeper role, something that would suit Amorim if the 25-year-old were to make the move to Old Trafford, as United are desperate for holding midfield help alongside Bruno.