Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of former Chelsea player Conor Gallagher

Aston Villa are in formal talks with Atletico Madrid to bring England international Conor Gallagher back to the Premier League in a deal that could define their season.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Midlands club are negotiating a loan deal with a conditional buyout clause, worth around €30m (£25m).

Although Atletico Madrid have been reluctant to sanction the 25-year-old’s temporary exit, reports suggest they are open to a deal if the terms of the transfer are “easily met.”

Negotiations are proceeding quickly, as the Spanish giants want to cover the player’s salary and loan amount on top of tomorrow’s transfer fee.

Conor Gallagher, who has struggled to get minutes in Diego Simeone’s regime recently, is understood to be open to a move.

? Aston Villa are now in formal talks with Atletico Madrid over a conditional loan deal for Conor Gallagher. Special interest is expressed in @talkSPORT last week.

Atletico value Gallagher at around €30m (£25m) on loan and wages on top.

Atletico remain… pic.twitter.com/5ifnekkldg

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) January 12, 2026

Aston Villa are closing in on a move for Conor Gallagher

Unai Emery has long been a fan of Gallagher’s high-energy style, viewing him as the ideal engine to drive Villa’s midfield until the end of the campaign.

The proposed deal structure, a loan with an imminent guaranteed purchase obligation, is designed to satisfy Atletico’s desire for a permanent sale while fitting within Villa’s immediate financial framework.

An estimate of £25m represents a significant market opportunity for a player of Gallagher’s pedigree.

Although Atletico have publicly insisted on keeping their squad strong, the fact of balancing their books and the player’s desire for regular football has softened their stance.

With Gallagher keen to return to England to cement his place in the national team, Villa are hoping to seal the deal quickly, provided they can agree some performance incentives that could make the transfer permanent.

Aston Villa are looking to sign big names in January for the second season in a row

Once completed, the Gallagher deal will mark the second consecutive January in which Aston Villa have secured top-flight reinforcements to finish the season.

The move mirrors the club’s impressive 2025 winter window, where loan deals for Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio have been hugely successful, propelling the club into the Champions League places.

The Villa section aims to replicate that “mid-season catalyst” effect.

By targeting proven top-level talent such as Gallagher, players who can quickly raise the technical and physical level of the team, Emery shows that Villa are not just content to be involved in the race for the top four, but are serious contenders for a shocking title race.

They are currently sitting in 3rd place with 43 points, level with Man City in 2nd place and only six points behind league leaders Arsenal.

With the club back on the table, Gallagher’s arrival could provide the same spark that Asensio and Rashford have brought over the past twelve months.