Manchester United attempted to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher in the final hours of the summer transfer window, GIVEMESPORT senior reporter Fabrizio Romano has revealed.
The Old Trafford side reportedly explored a loan deal for the former Chelsea ace but saw their offer rejected by Atletico, who were unwilling to entertain the England international’s late departure.
Gallagher was also targeted by Crystal Palace this summer, with the Eagles aiming to sign the £200,000-a-week 25-year-old alongside Villarreal winger Yeremy Pino, who joined last week.
Gallagher, who joined Atletico from Chelsea in August last year, has made three appearances off the bench in La Liga this season under head coach Diego Simeone.
Man United Tried to Sign Conor Gallagher
Conor Gallagher
Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, revealed that Man United tried to sign Gallagher in the last 48 hours of the summer window but saw their efforts snubbed by Atletico:
“One secret to reveal from the summer transfer window is about Manchester United.
“In the last 48 hours of the summer transfer window, Man United tried to sign Conor Gallagher.
“Man United considered the possibility of going for Conor Gallagher. Then it was not possible to make it happen, because Man United wanted to sign Gallagher on a loan deal, while Atletico Madrid had already rejected an approach from Crystal Palace 10 days ago for Conor Gallagher on loan.
“The top targets for Palace were Conor Gallagher and Yeremy Pino. Yeremy Pino arrived.
“Gallagher, they tried to bring him back to the club. If I remember well, he was already player of the season at Palace in 2022, so he knows the club very well.
“But then the answer from Atletico to Manchester United was no, no chance to that surprise proposal made by Manchester United in the final hours of the summer transfer window.”
Man United were on the lookout for a new midfielder in the final month of the summer transfer window, with a move failing for top target Carlos Baleba.
Brighton were reluctant to part ways with the 21-year-old midfielder for a reduced fee and stood firm on their reported £120m valuation, which would have made Baleba the most expensive United signing of all time.
United opted to bring in a goalkeeper on transfer deadline day instead, welcoming Belgium international Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp.
The Red Devils paid an initial £18m plus add-ons for the 23-year-old shot-stopper, who became their fifth and final signing of the summer alongside forwards Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
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