Man United transfer news: Ruben Amorim’s side had late loan bid ‘rejected’ for ex-Chelsea midfielder KIK BALL

Manchester United failed to sign a former Premier League player in the final 48 hours of the summer transfer window, according to a report.

After enduring their worst ever Premier League season in 2024-25, finishing 15th and failing to qualify for Europe, Man United bolstered their attack this summer with the big-money additions of Matheus Cunha, Bryam Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko ahead of the new campaign.

Ruben Amorim was also keen to recruit a new goalkeeper to provide competition for under-fore dupo Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir, with Senne Lammens signed on deadline day from Royal Antwerp.

The addition of a new centre-midfielder was also high on Man United’s summer wishlist, but they were unable lure top target Carlos Baleba away from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Man United allegedly made an approach for Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller, but the German was reluctant to leave the Bundesliga club as he wanted assurances over regular first-team football ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Man Utd’s loan bid for Gallagher ‘rejected’ by Atletico

The Red Devils were left to scour the market for midfield alternatives late in the window, and one name who they attempted to sign was Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that Man United tried to sign the 25-year-old on loan in the final two days of the transfer window, but a move was ‘not possible’ and their proposal was rejected by Atletico.

The La Liga giants are also said to have turned down a loan approach from Crystal Palace for the ex-Chelsea midfielder, who they had no intention of letting go so late in the window.

It remains to be seen whether Man United will reignite their interest in the England international during the January transfer window, or turn their attention to other midfield targets instead. 

Amorim currently has captain Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo as his midfield options, the latter of whom was denied the opportunity to leave on loan following a request to depart.

Gallagher may have been open to Man Utd move with starts not guaranteed at Atletico

After two seasons in the first team at Chelsea, Gallagher was sold to Atletico last summer for a reported £34m, penning a five-year contract with the Spanish club.

Gallagher made a total of 47 appearances for Atletico across all competitions in the 2024-25 campaign, including 32 outings in La Liga, but he has not been a nailed-on starter for head coach Diego Simeone.

Indeed, the midfielder lost his regular spot in the first XI towards the end of last season, starting just one of Atletico’s final six La Liga matches, before making three substitute appearances at this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.

Gallagher has also been limited to just 85 minutes of first-team football across three league appearances at the start of the new campaign, with Pablo Barrios and new signing Johnny Cardoso preferred by Simeone.

Should Gallagher fail to gain a desired amount of game time at Atletico in the first half of this season, he may consider his options in January as he will want to give himself the best opportunity to force his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for next summer’s World Cup.

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