Featured Image Credit: La Liga/Getty
Topics: Conor Gallagher, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Spain, La Liga
Matthew Holt
Topics: Conor Gallagher, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Spain, La Liga
The Spanish media have already had their say on Conor Gallagher, just months after he completed his transfer to Atletico Madrid.
Gallagher, 24, sealed a move away from his boyhood club back in August with the La Liga side paying a fee of around £36m for his services.
Since then, the Three Lions international has scored two goals in five games in an impressive to start life in Spain.
Advert
Fans of Diego Simeone's side have welcomed the former Chelsea star with open arms with it clear his tireless midfield play is already earning him plenty of suitors in the press.
Spanish journalist Matteo Moretto spoke to Football España regarding Gallagher's first impressions in La Liga, admitting Atleti pushed harder than ever to make sure the deal didn't fall through.
Moretto began: "Conor Gallagher is undoubtedly one of the signings that has caused the most impact in La Liga. He provides lungs in midfield for Atletico Madrid, a footballer who makes a difference due to the quantity and quality of his plays.
Advert
"It is true that Atletico had a shortlist of midfielders in the summer, but Conor Gallagher has always been one of the favorites of both Cholo Simeone and Andrea Berta."
He continued: "The sporting director insisted a lot on having him at Atletico, and never gave up, even when Gallagher was deliberating over the move and stalling talks.
"Gallagher was considered the perfect purchase for the midfield to give it a jump in quality, and complete their options in the position.
Advert
"He was never close to joining an English team, despite rumours linking him to Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur. Atleti was the club that pushed the most, knowing that Chelsea would not want him to continue at another Premier League team."
Rumours had suggested that Gallagher's move to the Wanda Metropolitano was at one point close to falling through.
The Blues had fended off advances from fellow Premier League sides for the 24-year-old, with Newcastle United another team linked with a surprise late swoop.
But having settled in well in Spain, the former Crystal Palace loanee looks to be making quite the mark thus far.