Fabrizio Romano Reveals Atletico’s Stance As Man United Push for Gallagher

Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has outlined the key difficulty Manchester United are facing in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher. 

According to Teamtalk, the Red Devils have long maintained an interest in Gallagher.

Ruben Amorim’s side want to sign a top-tier midfielder in the January transfer window, and the former Chelsea man is one of the players under consideration.

Man United Want to Sign Gallagher on Loan

Manchester United want to sign Conor Gallagher on a six-month loan in January, with an option to make it permanent over the summer.

The Red Devils are eyeing a place in the Champions League. If they are successful, signing Gallagher would not be an issue in the summer.

Gallagher is reportedly open to joining the Mancunians on a loan.

@talkSPORT Conor Gallagher and Rúben Neves are viewed as more realistic January options, with Gallagher keen on a Premier League return and potentially available for less than £35M. pic.twitter.com/gLeBMCmWMG

— United Matters Channel (@MUFCMattersChan) December 25, 2025

He has played in 18 LaLiga matches this season, but only started four of those matches for Atletico Madrid. Across competitions, he has clocked 1070 minutes of football in 28 games.

Gallagher is not satisfied with his game time and wants to move in January to allow himself the opportunity to make England’s World Cup squad.

Atletico Madrid do not see Conor Gallagher as an integral member of the squad, so they are open to selling him. However, Los Rojiblancos are reluctant to loan him out in January.

Fabrizio Romano Reveals Atletico Madrid Transfer Stance

On his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano said Atletico Madrid were not considering a loan and would prioritise selling him for a fee in the region of €30 million (£26.2 million).

The Italian journalist said on Thursday:

“At the moment, the message I am getting on Gallagher from Atletico Madrid is that Atletico are only opening the doors eventually to a permanent transfer.

“Atletico Madrid, as of today, as of Christmas, insist on the priority to a permanent move for something around €30million (£26.2m, $35.3m).”

He continued:

“Atletico Madrid don’t want to give the player on loan.

“That was the position in the summer, in the final days of the summer transfer window, when Man Utd actually tried to sign Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid when they were looking for a last-minute opportunity, but it was not possible.”

Manchester United are still thinking about Conor Gallagher and have him on their shortlist.

The English club would like a loan, but Atleti would only consider an offer of at least €30m.

The player is happy at the club, although he would like to have a more prominent role… pic.twitter.com/GZlbv7kfdG

— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) December 26, 2025

According to Romano, Atletico could soften their stance towards the end of the January transfer window, boosting United’s chances of signing him.

He added:

“Man Utd have been linked again with Conor Gallagher, but Atletico insist on a permanent transfer.”

“Then, whether this is going to change, whether this is going to be a permanent transfer or maybe a loan later in the market, because, sometimes, guys, in the market, especially in the first window, like the one in January, maybe today is a permanent and at the end of the market could be a loan.”

Manchester United return to action with a clash against Newcastle United on Boxing Day. Man United vs Newcastle Boxing Day record has them as the favourites, but the Magpies cannot be taken lightly.