Newcastle United will be paying close attention after Conor Gallagher hinted at his frustration with Atletico Madrid.
Expect Newcastle United to move for a new midfielder in 2026.
Whether it’s in January or at the end of the season, Newcastle seem primed to add new energy to Eddie Howe’s engine room.
Jacob Ramsey only joined Newcastle over the summer, but reports suggest the Magpies could sign Joelinton’s successor.
Atalanta’s Ederson was the main name mentioned, though AZ wonderkid Kees Smit is on Newcastle’s radar.
Conor Gallagher comments on his Atletico Madrid future
One name Newcastle fans know very well is that of Conor Gallagher.
Newcastle wanted to sign Gallagher from Chelsea in 2023, but no deal was done.
A year later, Newcastle again fancied Gallagher, but he joined Atletico Madrid instead.
That appeared to be the end of the matter, but Newcastle enquired about Gallagher once more this past summer.
Eddie Howe just doesn’t seem to be able to forget about Gallagher, and he will be very interested to hear Gallagher’s latest comments.
Gallagher has told Diario AS that he is not satisfied with his playing time this season, having started just two La Liga games.
Gallagher maintains that he is enjoying his time in Madrid, but he wants to play more games after a slow start to the season.
“No, no, of course not. I’m not satisfied,” said Gallagher.
“I don’t think anyone is if they’re not playing as much as they’d like, but I’ll keep working very hard to help the team whenever I have the chance, and hopefully, more opportunities to be a starter will come.
“I’m very happy here. My goal is to win titles with Atleti, and I want to have a bigger role in the team. And, as I’ve said, I’m going to keep working as hard as I can to play more minutes and help the team,” he added.
Conor Gallagher’s comments will be music to Eddie Howe’s ears
Gallagher hasn’t flat-out said that he wants to leave Atletico, but he certainly sounds like he could be tempted away.
Newcastle want to find another midfield player, and if anybody will hear Gallagher’s comments as a come-and-get-me-plea, then it’s Howe.
The Newcastle boss has clearly admired Gallagher for a long time now, having tried to sign him in multiple transfer windows.
Howe’s patience paid off with the signing of Malick Thiaw, and the Toon boss has shown a willingness to go back in for the players he really wants.
Gallagher fits that bill, and it certainly sounds like he could be lured away from Atletico in 2026.
Gallagher’s World Cup dream is fading away, and Newcastle can offer the chance to play first-team football in the Premier League once again.
Other Premier League offers are bound to be on the table, but Gallagher should value Newcastle’s long-standing interest and seriously consider a move to Tyneside.
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