Softfootball understands that Aston Villa are edging closer to signing Conor Gallagher from Atlético Madrid, with talks between the two clubs now at a very advanced stage. As reported by Fabrizio Romano via his official X account, the discussions have moved quickly in recent days, and a club-to-club agreement is almost there.
He posted:
Aston Villa are on the verge of club to club agreement for Conor Gallagher. Negotiations are at final stages with Atlético Madrid, loan with buy option clause to eventually becoming mandatory. Talks to continue on player side now.
The structure being worked on is a loan deal with a buy option that is expected to turn mandatory later on.
While the clubs are largely aligned, there’s still a bit to sort out on the player’s side. Villa remain in conversation with Gallagher’s representatives, trying to iron out personal terms and also sell him the idea of a mid-season switch to Villa Park.
The midfielder, who earns around £200,000 per week, hasn’t really nailed down a starting spot under Diego Simeone and is thought to be open to heading back to the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur were in the picture not long ago and did make informal enquiries. Spurs saw Gallagher as a useful addition to their midfield, but momentum seems to have faded. Atlético were not keen on a straight loan and preferred an obligation to buy, which complicated things for Tottenham.
Villa, on the other hand, moved early and left their offer on the table. That early move now looks important. Villa have been leading the race for over a week, and unless Spurs suddenly change approach, it’s hard to see them jumping back in front.
Unai Emery has played a big role in pushing this deal forward. He sees Gallagher as a player who already understands the Premier League, brings energy, and doesn’t shy away from the physical side.
The urgency increased after Boubacar Kamara picked up an injury during Aston Villa’s FA Cup win over Tottenham, which showed, quite clearly, that depth in midfield is thin.
Gallagher joined Atlético in 2024 for around £33 million and has made 77 appearances, featuring in Atlético Madrid’s recent 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid, but this season he’s started just four La Liga games. With the 2026 World Cup not far away, sitting on the bench won’t help much. For Villa, this isn’t a glamorous signing. It’s a practical one, and sometimes that matters more than noise.
