Bizarre Man Utd transfer revelation has fans scratching their heads

Tom Weber

• Updated: 24 Sep 2025 09:34 CDT
• 3 min read

News

Manchester United rejected the chance to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher this summer.

The Red Devils have been linked with the England international for several weeks, ever since it emerged that a late-window move for him was explored in the previous window.

Man Utd had been told by Brighton that their priority target, Carlos Baleba, was not for sale this summer, so the name of Gallagher made its way onto the Old Trafford club's radar.

Current ETV

Conor Gallagher

M (CL), DM (C)

Atlético Madrid

Conor Gallagher

M (CL), DM (C)

Atlético Madrid

€40.6M

ETV Range

€36.6M - €44.7M

View full profile

However, no move materialised. Reports suggested that Man Utd were offering a loan deal, which Atletico Madrid rejected, explaining that they would only sanction a permanent exit.

Gallagher hasn't always been a guaranteed starter in the Spanish capital, but Diego Simeone still rates him. It therefore seemed logical that the failed summer had been proposed by Man Utd or Gallagher himself, as he is keen to play regularly ahead of the World Cup.

Atletico Madrid offered Gallagher to Man Utd

Perhaps this wasn't actually the case, however. Man Utd insider Samuel Luckhurst has now gone against the grain and claims that Gallagher was actually offered to Man Utd by Atletico Madrid.

What's more, he asserts that the transfer didn't come about because Man Utd rejected the chance to sign Gallagher. 'United sources' insist that signing a new midfielder was not viewed as a priority by the club hierarchy.

He adds that strengthening the midfield will be on the agenda next summer, though, as Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo face uncertain futures. Luckhurst makes no mention of the Red Devils' well-documented pursuit of Baleba.

The journalist also cites reports that suggest that Man Utd could make a move for Gallagher in January. However, they would have to shell out north of €60 million (£52.3m) to get Atleti to sell.

If true, this revelation will surely have supporters scratching their heads, given that the midfield is one of the biggest problem areas in Ruben Amorim's side right now. Gallagher would have offered exactly the kind of energy and intensity that the coach feels his team currently lacks.

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