Newcastle United are looking for midfield additions in 2026, and Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher could fit the bill.
Eddie Howe’s midfield has been the cornerstone of his success at Newcastle United.
Anybody coming up against Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Joelinton has known to expect a battle.
Newcastle have become too easy to play through, though, and while Howe has defended Joelinton, he hasn’t been at his best this season.
Newcastle have started eyeing a replacement for Joelinton by targeting Atalanta’s Ederson, but other players should be in the mix.
Newcastle United should return for Conor Gallagher
Conor Gallagher’s name has been mentioned around Newcastle for some time now.
Newcastle wanted Gallagher in 2023, before Chelsea decided to sell the midfielder a year later.
Gallagher decided to overlook Newcastle in favour of a move to Atletico Madrid, but a return to England could now materialise.
The Chronicle noted this past summer that Howe is a long-term admirer of Gallagher, so it’s no surprise that Newcastle continue to be linked.
The 25-year-old has started just two La Liga games for Atletico this season and looks set to miss out on England’s World Cup squad.
The Daily Mail now report that Manchester United could move for Gallagher in January.
A loan with a permanent option of £45million has been mentioned, and that is the kind of deal Newcastle should be all over.
Gallagher has the box-to-box quality to replace Joelinton, offering great work rate in midfield as well as a goal threat.
Gallagher still has so much untapped potential at 25, and if Newcastle can strike a loan deal in January, Howe must return for his signature.
Conor Gallagher could follow in Kieran Trippier’s footsteps
A move to sign Gallagher would see Howe repeat the trick after signing Kieran Trippier in 2022.
Trippier left Tottenham Hotspur for Atletico Madrid in 2019, before returning to the Premier League with Newcastle.
That move has worked out brilliantly, with Trippier playing a key role in this Newcastle journey.
Newcastle can now give Gallagher a similar switch, offering him a return to the Premier League after his Atletico experience.
Trippier could certainly recommend the move to Gallagher and put the case forward for a move to Newcastle over Manchester United.
Gallagher would likely cost a similar price to Ederson, and his Premier League experience makes him particularly appealing for a 2026 move.
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