Conor Gallagher has been linked with a loan move to Manchester United when the January transfer window opens up, but one Spanish football expert believes that depends on two things in particular.
Conor Gallagher celebrates.
Conor Gallagher has been linked with a move to Manchester United.(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Terry Gibson says Conor Gallagher's return to the Premier League hinges on whether he's content with his role at Atletico Madrid, and whether he wants to compete in the English top-flight again.
The England midfielder, 25, has excelled under Diego Simeone since making the switch from Chelsea last summer, totting up six goals and six assists in 69 appearances thus far. And as a result of finding his footing with the La Liga giants, Manchester United have recently been linked with making a move for the midfielder.
The Reds have struggled in their engine room for a couple of seasons, with Casemiro's ageing legs leaving him unable to cover the ground he once did during his Real Madrid heyday - while Bruno Fernandes' suitability to a deeper role has been cast into speculation by pundits, evidently more compatible in the No.10.
And with Manuel Ugarte failing to gel under Ruben Amorim, as well as Kobbie Mainoo seeing his future at Old Trafford cast into speculation, United have been linked with a wealth of talent in the January window, including Gallagher. Reports suggest that the Premier League titans are eyeing up a loan deal for the 25-year-old.
But whether or not a deal will come to fruition depends on a number of things, according to La Liga commentator, Gibson. Speaking exclusively to The Manchester Evening News, the ex-Reds forward said: "I have to say, lately, I feel for him that he's not playing on a more regular basis.
"Because it appears every game, Atletico have a fantastic squad, arguably the biggest, strongest squad in La Liga, and he's suffered because of that. And when he plays, he never lets them down.
"Koke has been playing ahead of him. Koke has his attributes; he's played 700 games, at the weekend, for Atletico Madrid. And Simeone just can't let go of him. So it's a security blanket for Simeone.
Conor Gallagher chases the ball.
Man Utd-linked Conor Gallagher has been incredible for Atletico Madrid.
View 2 Images
"Koke has been a wonderful player, but Conor Gallagher does offer a little bit more, now. He gets around the pitch a lot quicker than Koke does and he has a goal-scoring threat. He's been happy to play in a wider midfield position.
"Would he play in this game? (vs Barcelona on Tuesday). He started in the game against Inter Milan. Probably not then. That means that there will be rotations and changes. But I think that he's really pushing hard for a place on a more regular basis.
"He's been fabulous. A bit overlooked because we've got Marcus Rashford and we've got Jude Bellingham. He's been overlooked when it comes to the English contingent that are playing in La Liga. But he's been really good.
"I guess it all depends on Conor Gallagher. Whether he's content with that role in Atleti's team, which a lot of big players have to be at Atletico Madrid. And would he want to make a return back to the Premier League? But he's been good.
"It's actually good to talk about him because, as I say, he does get overlooked when it comes to the other two big hitters. Tyrhys Dolan gets overlooked. He's probably been arguably the best English player in La Liga this season."
It comes as Gallagher will hope to make his mark when Atletico Madrid travel to Camp Nou to take on Hansi Flick's Barcelona on Tuesday, December 2. There, he will meet with fellow Englishman - and United loanee - Rashford, who has impressed during his time on Spanish soil this season.