Manchester United declined the opportunity to sign an England international midfielder on transfer deadline day, according to reports.
The Red Devils were at the centre of one of the bigger stories on the last day of the summer transfer window, signing Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens to pave the way for Andre Onana's loan exit to Trabzonspor while Aston Villa stopper Emiliano Martinez reportedly waited for a call from United head coach Ruben Amorim that never came.
It seems the Argentina goalkeeper wasn't the only player left hanging by United's focus on Lammens on the first day of September.
According to The Sun, Man Utd were offered Atletico Madrid and England midfielder Conor Gallagher on deadline day but the position was 'not a priority' because of the supposedly versatile midfield options already at the club.
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"Reports suggest Atletico have been rating Gallagher at £52m since last summer," writes Samuel Luckhurst.
"And the Red Devils could make a move to trigger that asking price during the January transfer window.
"Atletico signed Gallagher from Chelsea for £33m last summer and he started in only 19 of their 38 La Liga fixtures."
The actual extent of United's midfield versatility is highly debatable and the team's attacking additions haven't been able to carry the weight of midfielders playing roles to which they're imperfectly suited.
Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount aren't thriving in Amorim's notoriously steadfast system and Gallagher might have offered the extra dynamism needed to help make it work.
Gallagher rose to prominence through a series of loan spells away from Stamford Bridge, starting with Charlton Athletic and culminating in a stellar season at Crystal Palace in 2021-22.
He nailed down a place with Chelsea, where he'd been on the books since 2006, and later captained the club.
The end of Gallagher's Chelsea career
The 25-year-old midfielder has 21 caps for England but has dropped out of the squad under Thomas Tuchel.
His Chelsea days came to an end in 2024, when Atletico capitalised on doubts about his future under incoming Blues boss Enzo Maresca.
Gallagher made the move to Madrid and has appeared in 37 La Liga matches for Diego Simeone's side.
He made nine appearances in the Champions League last season and played the first hour of Atleti's league phase opener against Liverpool last week.
Topics: Football, Premier League, Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours
Chris Nee