Aston Villa's ambitious January transfer plans have received a fresh update, with the club's pursuit of England midfielder Conor Gallagher appearing to hinge on the business of his current club, Atletico Madrid.
Villa's Midfield Need and Atletico's Dilemma
With key midfielders Ross Barkley and Amadou Onana currently sidelined through injury, manager Unai Emery is keen to add proven quality to his squad for the crucial second half of the season. Villa are enjoying a stellar campaign, sitting level on points with Manchester City in the Premier League and progressing in both the FA Cup and Europa League.
The latest reports from Spain, via Marca and relayed by Sport Witness, indicate that Gallagher's move to Villa Park is a genuine 'possibility' this month. However, the deal is contingent on Atletico Madrid successfully moving other players on first. The La Liga giants need to create space and funds for their own incoming transfers.
The Key Stumbling Block: Giacomo Raspadori
The primary complication lies with Atletico's attempts to sell Italian forward Giacomo Raspadori to Roma. According to the reports, Raspadori is 'dithering' over the transfer, with concerns that Roma may withdraw their interest if a deal is not struck soon.
This uncertainty directly impacts the Gallagher situation. Should the Raspadori move collapse, selling the 25-year-old Englishman to Aston Villa suddenly becomes 'more important' for Atletico, who have a stated 'desire to make it happen'.
While Gallagher's initial valuation is cited at around €30 million (approximately £26 million), a figure Marca views as 'difficult to achieve', the outlet notes that 'circumstances could change' and force Atletico to lower their asking price.
Gallagher's Motivation and Villa's Pitch
For Gallagher, a move to the West Midlands could be vital for his international prospects with the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico on the horizon. The midfielder has been a peripheral figure under Thomas Tuchel at Atletico this season, with the majority of his appearances coming from the substitutes' bench.
He made just one appearance for England in 2025, a stark contrast to his involvement at Euro 2024 where he featured as the Three Lions reached the final. A key factor in any transfer will be Aston Villa's ability to guarantee him regular first-team minutes, something Emery's project and current injury situation could readily provide.
The transfer speculation is further supported by renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano, who has suggested that a club-to-club agreement for a loan with an obligation to buy is moving closer. This represents a shift from earlier reports of Villa exploring a simple loan with an option.
Securing Gallagher for a fee potentially lower than the previously quoted £35 million would represent astute business for Villa's hierarchy. It would add proven Premier League and international pedigree to a squad already dreaming of ending a 30-year wait for major silverware and cementing a place in next season's Champions League.
