Aston Villa and Newcastle United have been linked with a move for an England international.
Conor Gallagher to Aston Villa is a transfer rumour that simply won’t go away, no matter the season or window.
Speculation was particularly rife last summer as the England international was heavily linked with a move to Villa Park but instead completed a £34 million switch from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid. Gallagher enjoyed a decent first season in Spain as he made 28 starts across all competitions and made a further 20 appearances off the bench, but that doesn’t necessarily mean his position at Atletico is absolutely secure.
Villa have once again been linked with a move for Gallagher as Unai Emery seeks to add depth and quality in midfield. Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara are indispensable in the double pivot but games come thick and fast when you’re in the Europa League. If Emery can rotate his starting lineup and lose very little quality in each position while doing so, the Villans will be in a very strong position.
Conor Gallagher to Aston Villa makes no sense
Gallagher could help in Emery’s pursuit to bolster his midfield options and Football Insider reports Villa have joined the likes of Newcastle United and Everton in the race to sign him this summer. On the surface, it doesn’t seem like too bad an idea, but when you consider the report suggests Atletico won’t entertain offers less than £50 million, this rumour is simply a non-starter.
Although Villa have waved farewell to any concerns over a breach of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) this year, the pockets still aren’t deep. Efforts must be made to comply with UEFA’s squad cost rules (SCR) - essentially meaning the wage bill needs to be reduced rather than increased - and so signing a high earner like Gallagher will be difficult.
It would be tricky to lure Gallagher to Villa Park on the salary front alone. When you add the £50 million transfer fee to that, it makes any deal financially unviable. If Atletico were to significantly reduce their asking price and Gallagher was happy to accept a lower salary, it would be possible. But that’s extremely unlikely, just as we saw with the failed permanent move for Marco Asensio.
Newcastle United in picture to sign Gallagher
Villa aren’t the only Premier League side to have been linked with Gallagher recently as Newcastle United are reportedly keen on bringing the midfielder to St. James’ Park. Mundo Deportivo reports Gallagher is one of several players the Toon are considering signing as they seek to strengthen in the centre of the park ahead of their return to the Champions League.
Atletico are said to be listening to offers, though, as mentioned previously, the La Liga giants would need to be offered a substantial fee to let Gallagher go. Local reports - including from Chronicle Live - suggest Newcastle aren’t going to proceed with an offer for the former Chelsea man but there’s often no smoke without fire.
Continue Reading