Overview
- Villa are assessing a January move structured as a loan with an obligation to buy for the England midfielder, with Unai Emery a long-time admirer.
- Reporting indicates Atlético are not currently willing to accept a loan with a buy option and would prefer a straight sale at roughly €30m.
- Gallagher joined Atlético from Chelsea for about €42m in 2024 and has not locked down a regular starting role.
- Atlético are pursuing a left winger, a search linked to their need to manage the wage bill and squad slots.
- Villa are operating under tight financial rules and have focused early-window business on younger signings such as 19-year-old Alysson.