Journo: Man United had 11th-hour approach rejected for England star with 136 Premier League appearances

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·2. September 2025

Journo: Man United had 11th-hour approach rejected for England star with 136 Premier League appearances

Manchester United reportedly tried their luck with a late loan bid for Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher yesterday.

The Red Devils’ attempts were ultimately rebuffed by Atletico, who were only interested in sanctioning a permanent sale of the midfielder, therefore pricing United out of a deal.

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United established interest in 11th-hour Conor Gallagher loan

Gallagher had been linked with a move away from Madrid on numerous occasions this summer. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Such a transfer materialising would’ve seen Gallagher return to the English top flight after just 12 months in La Liga.

Manchester United made an enquiry to loan Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher. Approach rejected. Atletico were never prepared to sanction a temporary move.❌
– Montag, 1. September 2025

He has racked up 136 Premier League appearances, with 30 of those coming for West Bromwich Albion and the rest for Chelsea.

Gallagher, 25, worked his way through the academy ranks at Stamford Bridge before being offloaded to the Spanish giants for around £34 million. It’s thought the key decision-makers in South West London pushed for his sale against his wishes as, given he’s a homegrown player, it would generate pure profit and provide a healthy PSR boost.

INEOS put midfield targets on back burner

United refused to grant Kobbie Mainoo a transfer elsewhere. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Nonetheless, United conceded in the aftermath of their rejected loan bid that everything cannot be fixed in one window.

Chris Wheeler expects bolstering Ruben Amorim’s midfield will take priority in either January or, in a lesser desirable case scenario, at the end of the season.

United also blocked Kobbie Mainoo’s departure following direct requests from the 20-year-old to go out on loan.

Mainoo’s desire to complete a temporary exit stemmed from the fact that he was an unused substitute for the opening two Premier League matches. He did feature for 45 minutes off the bench in Sunday’s win over Fulham, although that’s likely down to Mason Mount being withdrawn with an injury concern at the interval.