West Ham United failed with a £40 million bid to sign Conor Gallagher from Premier League neighbours Chelsea during the summer of 2023.
Two and a half years later, though, there may be a slight hint of a chance that a long-time transfer target is attainable.
In fact, West Ham’s interest can be traced back to 2020. The England international was coming off a couple of impressive loan spells at Charlton Athletic and Swansea City half a decade ago.
Once he had established himself as a starter at Chelsea, though, Gallagher rejected the Hammers’ advances when they came forward a handful of windows later with an eye-watering offer in the region of £40 million.
But with the now-Atletico Madrid midfielder struggling for starts in La Liga, and with a World Cup spot slipping through his grasp, a return to London on a temporary basis is something which may appeal to a Surrey-born 25-year-old.
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Conor Gallagher has made 16 league appearances for Atletico Madrid this season, but only four starts. And, as Ben Jacobs explains to the Football Terrace, this is one to watch in the coming weeks.
Ben Jacobs says West Ham United are in the mix for Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher
It is no secret that Manchester United tried to sign Gallagher on loan towards the end of the summer window.
Jacobs believes that Everton and also long-time admirers West Ham are ones to keep a close eye on too, with the former Crystal Palace and West Brom box-crasher considering one last roll of the dice as he looks to keep his World Cup hopes alive.
“I think the reason why Conor Gallagher is coming up so much is because you don’t have to overcommit with Conor Gallagher,” Jacobs says.
“So, if – and it is an ‘if’ – Atletico Madrid agree to a loan with a buy option, then Manchester United have the option to add a midfielder, do a bit of a ‘try before they buy’, and give Conor Gallagher game time as he pushes for the World Cup.
“And maybe that then opens the door for Kobbie Mainoo to go out and get minutes.
“But that is contingent on Atletico changing their position, and Conor Gallagher wanting to come. Over the summer, when Man United made a loan offer, Atletico Madrid said, ‘buy or nothing’.
“Gallagher could be a possibility because he is one of the most feasible midfielder names, not just for Manchester United. Everton are keeping an eye on the situation. Also West Ham, who want to add a midfielder, a defender, and a number nine in the January transfer window.
“But it kind of depends on Atletico Madrid.”
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Jacobs says West Ham are still hovering around Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo
Premier League proven, a solid-enough source of goals from the middle of the park, and a highly-energetic, all-action operator, Gallagher certainly seems to tick a fair few boxes at the London Stadium.
Arguably more so than the aforementioned Mainoo, anyway.
Sections of the West Ham fanbase have reservations about Mainoo arriving in January. Not merely because it may threaten Freddie Potts’ own development, but because of what Nuno looks for in a midfielder. High levels of mobility and an aggression in the tackle. Mainoo, while a wildly gifted footballer, is yet to show he can really handle the more physical side of things, especially in a midfield pivot.
According to Fabrizio Romano back in November, West Ham are offering Mainoo a role in their starting XI as the Old Trafford benchwarmer also looks to remind Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel of his talents.
“Newcastle hold a historical interest in Kobbie Mainoo, but I don’t know whether he would go there mid-season because he wants to play every week. There’s no guarantee you are getting into that Newcastle midfield,” Jacobs adds.
“There is West Ham, who are looking for a midfielder. They would only do a loan in January, I am told. Napoli were there over the summer and Kobbie Mainoo was quite interested.
“So there is a possibility that things develop.”
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