Atletico Madrid are expecting several offers in the January transfer window with Conor Gallagher tipped to leave.
Gallagher arrived at Atletico Madrid last summer in a big-money move from Premier League side Chelsea, but he struggled to hold down a regular starting spot during his first season at the Estadio Metropolitano.
Diego Simeone opted to spend big ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, as he looks to close the gap to Real Madrid and Barcelona, with three new midfielders landing in Madrid.
Johnny Cardoso, Thiago Almada and Alexa Baena are all now ahead of Gallagher in the midfield pecking order alongside Pablo Barrios.
Gallagher was handed a shock start in the 3-2 UEFA Champions League defeat to Liverpool at Anfield before being replaced on the hour mark.
His uncertain picture in Madrid has led to speculation over the 25-year-old wanting a Premier League return with former club Crystal Palace reportedly keen on re-signing him.
However, Gallagher wants to continue playing Champions League football, and that could block a possible move to Manchester United at the start of 2026.
As per TBR Football, United could make an offer, but domestic rivals Tottenham and Newcastle United are ahead of them in the pecking order.
Gallagher wants to stay in the race to secure a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer and he needs to be playing regularly.
The door is not completely closed on his time in Madrid and a loan for the second half of 2025/26 could be an option.
Spurs and Newcastle can both offer him UCL football at the start of 2026 but the Magpies have a set midfield trio of Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.
Thomas Frank is more flexible with his Tottenham midfield after bringing in Joao Palhinha on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich back in August.
