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Aston Villa are exploring a deal to bring Conor Gallagher back to the Premier League from Atletico Madrid, potentially on loan with an obligation to buy, according to reports. The 25-year-old midfielder left Chelsea for Spain in summer 2024 but could return to England just 18 months later.
Aston Villa Explore Deal to Bring Conor Gallagher Back From Atletico Madrid
Unai Emery has maintained long-standing interest in Gallagher, having been keen to sign the midfielder since his time at Chelsea. Villa remain six points off the Premier League leaders despite suffering a recent 4-1 defeat at Arsenal, with the club firmly competing across multiple competitions including the Europa League where they are among the favourites.
The FA Cup presents a genuine opportunity for Villa, who reached the semi-finals last year before losing to Crystal Palace. Emery recognises the fine margins involved in cup competitions, with Gallagher’s versatility, energy and Premier League experience potentially helping Villa sustain challenges on several fronts throughout the remainder of the season.
Gallagher has established himself at Atletico Madrid since joining in summer 2024, playing 51 La Liga games and making 27 appearances across all competitions this season. The midfielder praised his Spanish experience, telling the FA’s website that Diego Simeone provided “a really warm welcome” and describing the Atletico manager as “one of the best managers in the world” who “wants everyone to work as hard as possible.”
However, international considerations complicate Gallagher’s situation, with the midfielder reportedly welcoming a return to England to improve his chances of making Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad. Since Tuchel’s appointment as England manager, Gallagher’s involvement has been limited to a 3-1 defeat to Senegal, while Elliot Anderson has emerged as a contender for midfield positions.
Manchester United have also shown reported interest in Gallagher, though their managerial uncertainty following Ruben Amorim’s exit makes Villa’s pursuit more concrete. While Gallagher remains valued by Simeone at Atletico Madrid, the combination of World Cup ambitions and Premier League visibility could influence his decision about a potential return to English football.
