Conor Gallagher’s future with Atletico Madrid is up in the air, with rumours that he could return to Crystal Palace at some point in 2026.
Conor Gallagher is a player who Crystal Palace fans still hold in high regard, and who the club appear to hold in high regard too.
Recently, We Are Palace revealed that Crystal Palace are still in contact with Gallagher and his entourage, having kept in touch since his loan spell with the club ended back in 2022.
Now at Atletico, Gallagher is struggling for game time. The 25-year-old has made just two starts in La Liga this season and risks being left out of England’s World Cup squad next summer.
Oliver Glasner’s side were linked with a summer move for the former Chelsea man, with reports in Spain claiming that Crystal Palace are weighing up a January move for Gallagher, who’s apparently valued at £52million.
Conor Gallagher’s agents are considering January transfer
An emerging report from Spanish outlet Esto es Atleti has given some insight on Gallagher’s future and how he and his entourage feel about potentially leaving Spain in the near future. They write that ‘the player’s entourage is closely monitoring the January transfer window’ with a view to a potential move.
However, the same report adds that ‘no one is rushing into the situation’ with Diego Simeone’s side still viewing Gallagher as a long-term investment, with his contract at the club running until the summer of 2029.
That said, Atletico play Inter Milan in a friendly on Friday evening. Esto es Atleti suggest that whether or not Gallagher features in the game, and what role he plays ‘won’t decide his future, but it could determine the course of his season’.
Crystal Palace’s January spending power revealed
Speaking to We Are Palace recently, football finance expert Adam Williams revealed how much money Crystal Palace have to spend in the January transfer window. And it’s good news.
Williams explained: “We know that the ownership group there are at the conservative end of the spectrum in terms of not spending much more than they earn. But still, I was surprised to see them not invest more in the summer given the position they are in and the momentum behind them.
“They’ve got one of the lowest transfer debts in the division at £67m at the last count, and they should be in a relatively strong cash position, especially with more matchdays at Selhurst Park in the Conference League to come. The wage bill is pretty low by Premier League standards too.”
For Palace then, a move for Gallagher seems very plausible, with both sides seemingly open to a deal. Atletico though appear to be keener on a permanent exit rather than a loan move, given the fact that they’ve set an asking price but still want to keep the player.
It could be a record signing for Crystal Palace if they pull it off on a permanent deal. But it would be a strong signing nonetheless for a player who’s already proven himself in an Eagles shirt.
