Exclusive: Crystal Palace Plot Ambitious Move to Bring Conor Gallagher Back from Atletico Madrid

Crystal Palace believe they can tempt Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher back to the Premier League as he looks to break back into the England team ahead of next summer’s World Cup, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The 25-year-old, who has won 21 caps for his country but who missed out on recent selection for the national side, enjoyed an impressive debut season for Atletico in La Liga last term.

Gallagher has started every game this season as the Spanish club look to challenge with Real Madrid and Barcelona for the league title after a third-place finish last time out.

But our sources have learnt that the Eagles have earmarked Gallagher as their number one transfer target for when the January window opens.

Palace sold star performer and England ace Eberechi Eze to boyhood club Arsenal for £60million plus a potential £7.5m in add-ons before the window closed.

And although Palace have strengthened with Getafe striker Christantus Uche joining on loan, the club did not sign a new midfielder during the summer transfer window.

Gallagher is now their priority as they look to build on their impressive eighth place finish in the Premier League season and history-making FA Cup title.

MIDFIELDER GAP

Victory in the Community Shield at the start of the season proved the Eagles are up for the fight, but Eze’s departure has left a concerning gap in their midfielder unit – and the signing of Gallagher would likely solve that.

The former Chelsea playmaker played 72 Premier League games with the Blues before signing for Atletico in a £34m deal in August 2024.

But the box-to-box midfielder has big ambitions to play for England having last played for the national side in June in a shock 3-1 international friendly defeat against Senegal at Wembley.

However, having started that game Gallagher didn’t make the squad for England’s 2-0 victory over Andorra and then 5-0 whitewash of Serbia in their recent World Cup qualifiers.

England’s next game is a friendly against Wales at Wembley on Thursday 9th October, a fixture Gallagher is targeting to get back in the national side, followed by an away game against Lativa five days later.

Gallagher has impressed in Spain with Atletico, but Palace hope the lure of a Premier League return will enhance his chances of international recognition.