Conor Gallagher admits he is ‘not satisfied’ with his game-time at Atletico Madrid amid speculation linking the former Chelsea midfielder with a move to Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim has expressed interest in signing Gallagher as he looks to bolster his midfield options during the Janaury transfer window.
United considered a last-ditch move for Gallagher towards the end of the summer transfer window but were informed that the 25-year-old would be staying put.
Gallagher joined Atletico in the summer of 2024 after being frozen out byChelsea manager Enzo Maresca.
The England midfielder made 50 appearances for Atletico during his first season but is often used from the bench by manager Diego Simeone.
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Gallagher insists he wants ‘more opportunities to be a starter’ for the Spanish club, having only started two of Atletico’s 12 league games so far this season.
‘I’m not satisfied,’ Gallagher told AS. ‘I don’t think anyone will be if they don’t play as much as they would like.
‘But I will continue to work very hard to, whenever I have the opportunity, help the team and hopefully more opportunities will come to be a starter.’
While Gallagher is desperate for more game-time, he says he is ‘very happy’ at Atletico Madrid, seemingly suggesting he is not giving me thought about the Manchester United links.
‘I’m very happy here,’ the 25-year-old added. ‘My goal is to win titles with Atleti and I want to have a bigger role in the team.
‘And, as I said, I’m going to continue working to the maximum to play more minutes and be able to help the team.’
Gallagher is particularly keen to get more minutes for Atletico Madrid with the World Cup just around the corner.
The Chelsea academy graduate featured for England at Euro 2024 but has barely featured for the Three Lions since then.
‘That’s one of my goals,’ Gallagher said. ‘I have spoken to Thomas Tuchel and he told me what he needs from me and what I have to do to return to the team.
‘It seems that, right now, it’s very difficult for me to get to that point. But, as I said before, I will continue to do my best to get more minutes and, hopefully, return to the national team.’
Gallagher made 95 appearances for boyhood club Chelsea before completing a £33m move to Atletico Madrid in 2024.
Paul Parker recently urged his former club Manchester United to sign Gallagher, who he says would be the ‘cherry on top’ for Amorim.
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