Report: Man United could sign La Liga midfielder in January | OneFootball

Man Utd weigh up £35m move for midfield target ahead of January window

Manchester United could pursue a realistic midfield addition in January, with a move for a £35 million-rated target being described as both “feasible” and “viable.” The club’s recruitment team is said to be planning a two-stage midfield rebuild across the next two transfer windows, reflecting both immediate needs and longer-term ambitions under Ruben Amorim. As reported by TeamTalk.

Midfield reinforcements under consideration

Manchester United’s focus for 2026 appears firmly set on strengthening their midfield options. As talkSPORT reported, “Manchester United are open to adding two new midfielders in 2026.” Among those admired are Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, Angelo Stiller and Morten Hjulmand, though none of those players are considered available in January.

Instead, attention has turned to a player United previously approached late in the summer transfer window. The report claims the club explored a loan move for the midfielder, but Atletico Madrid “only wanted to sell, not loan the player.” Journalist Chris Wheeler confirmed on social media at the time: “Understand that Utd did inquire about a loan for Conor Gallagher but Atletico Madrid only willing to sell.”

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That stance may now have softened, with Gallagher reportedly open to a move in search of more regular football. According to talkSPORT, he is viewed internally as a “viable” and “feasible” target. A structured loan deal with an option or obligation to buy could satisfy Atletico’s conditions, with their asking price believed to be around £35 million, the same figure they paid Chelsea two summers ago.

Amorim’s tactical priorities shaping recruitment

Under Amorim’s system, Manchester United’s 3-4-2-1 formation relies heavily on a two-man midfield capable of covering large spaces and maintaining intensity. It is an area where United have often looked exposed this season, with opponents finding it too easy to transition through central areas.

According to talkSPORT, Amorim is actively seeking “more pace and athleticism” in midfield, players who can “eat up the ground quickly” and press effectively without losing structure. Gallagher’s attributes, energy, pressing, and positional discipline make him a stylistic fit for that vision.

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Whether United reignite formal negotiations remains to be seen, but there is a growing acceptance within Old Trafford that new signings are required to sustain the team’s push for a top-four finish and to stabilise performances in possession.

January plans taking shape

Sources close to the club have suggested United will pursue one addition in January before a more substantial signing next summer. That staggered approach reflects budgetary realities as well as the club’s efforts to manage FFP constraints. The hierarchy remains determined to give Amorim the physical and technical profile he requires to implement his system fully.

As one insider put it, “United can’t do everything in one window and midfield is likely to be priority in Jan or next summer.”

For supporters, that may be a familiar refrain, but the renewed focus on balance and energy in midfield points to a more strategic direction taking shape behind the scenes.

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Gallagher fits the profile Amorim craves: energetic, industrious and tactically disciplined. His ability to press, recycle possession and maintain tempo would undoubtedly improve a United midfield that often appears static.

However, scepticism remains. Supporters may question whether Gallagher represents the calibre of player needed to return United to elite contention. The club’s recruitment strategy over the past decade has been plagued by reactive signings rather than proactive planning. If Gallagher is viewed merely as a stop-gap, fans will worry it signals another short-term fix rather than a step toward genuine squad evolution.

That said, United’s midfield depth is currently thin, and his arrival could stabilise performances in the short term. If structured as a loan with a purchase option, it would also minimise financial risk while giving Amorim a player ready to integrate immediately.

For many fans, this deal’s success would hinge not on Gallagher’s ability alone but on whether United finally show consistency in identifying and developing a coherent tactical identity. After years of scattergun planning, a £35 million signing only makes sense if it forms part of a bigger, smarter rebuild.