It’s United vs. Villa for “rampaging” £52m midfield enforcer any manager would want – Ben Jacobs 

Despite the January transfer window only opening last week, Manchester United are already running out of time to agree a deal for Conor Gallagher if the latest report from Ben Jacobs is to be believed. Red-hot Transfer Race The Red Devils explored a deal to sign the Atletico Madrid midfielder last summer, with Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim understood to have been willing to sacrifice Kobbie Mainoo to facilitate the deal. An agreement could not be reached between the two clubs, however, with the Spanish giant asking for £52 million for Gallagher on deadline day, according to a report relayed by The Peoples Person. United rejected this proposal, instead prioritising a move for Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens in the dying hours of the window. However, Gallagher remained on the radar at Old Trafford as a potential reinforcement in January, particularly if Atletico were willing to sanction the England international’s exit on loan. The 25-year-old midfielder is desperate to return to the Premier League after falling down the pecking order for club and country this season. Diego Simeone has preferred other options in midfield, leading to Gallagher losing his place with the Three Lions, with Thomas Tuchel telling his players they must be starting regularly to secure their plane ticket to the World Cup this summer. Amorim remained keen on adding the midfield enforcer to his squad, given his continued disregard for Mainoo and the abject performances of Manuel Ugarte. However, the Portuguese coach’s dismissal has thrown Old Trafford into a state of chaos, with INEOS’s focus now being on securing a caretaker manager, rather than a midfielder. This has allowed the club’s domestic rivals, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace, to jump the queue for Gallagher, with both London teams making contact over a move this week. Aston Villa Enter the Fray Transfer expert Jacobs reports there is a new entry into the race now, with Aston Villa “keen” to strike a deal for Gallagher. Villans’ boss Unai Emery is said to be a “long-term admirer” of the Cobham graduate and Villa are now “exploring a loan with [an] obligation to buy.” Atletico are still pushing for a permanent exit and will not sanction a loan with an option, suggesting an agreement could quickly be struck with their counterparts in Birmingham. While Gallagher’s move to the Spanish capital saw him win the respect of Los Colchoneros’ fanbase, who affectionately nicknamed him ‘Pitbull’ due to his tenacious style, he has not matched his performance levels in England. While on loan at Palace in the 2021/22 season, the midfielder’s displays were so impressive he was even nominated for the PFA Player of the Year. He will be hoping to recapture this form with a return to home soil this month – with one, if not two, eyes on the World Cup this summer. Conor Gallagher Premier League Stats MetricValue Appearances (Sub)136 (20) Goals18 Assists13 Goals18 Expected Goals (xG)14.69 Expected Assists (xA)10.12 Touches in Opposition Box270 Penalties (Scored)0 (0) Hit Woodwork7 Free Kicks (Scored)4 (4) Crosses (Completed %)146 (18%) Passes (Completed %)4,678 (86%) Long Passes (Completed %)278 (58%) Corners Taken155 Minutes Played10,132 Dribbles (Completed %)233 (58%) Duels Won731 Aerial Duels Won90 Total Tackles281 Interceptions122 Blocks38 Red Cards2 Yellow Cards37 Fouls226 Offsides5 Own Goals0 INEOS will have to move quickly and decisively to avoid missing out on a player in a position in which United are in desperate need of reinforcements. The fact it would ruin the transfer plan of a rival for Champions League qualification at the end of the season should only strengthen their resolve. Featured image Aitor Alcade via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.