Aston Villa's remarkable Premier League campaign is set for a January midfield shake-up, with manager Unai Emery reportedly turning his attention back to a long-term target.
Villa reignite interest in £35m-rated Gallagher
The club is now 'exploring' a six-month loan deal for Atletico Madrid's Conor Gallagher, according to TalkSPORT. The proposed agreement would include an obligation to buy the midfielder for a fee in the region of £35 million next summer.
Gallagher, a former Chelsea player and England international, has been on Emery's radar for several years. Villa held a strong interest before his move to Spain. While content at Atletico, the 25-year-old is said to be open to a Premier League return to boost his chances of making Thomas Tuchel's squad for the upcoming World Cup.
This financial structure, delaying the major payment until the next accounting period, is seen as crucial for Villa as they continue to navigate the Premier League's strict Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
The crystal clear reality for Liverpool's Harvey Elliott
The pursuit of Gallagher puts a definitive end to the prospect of Harvey Elliott's loan move from Liverpool becoming permanent. The young midfielder, who was the Player of the Tournament at last summer's Under-21 European Championship, has played just five times for Villa and has not featured since October.
Birmingham World understands that Villa's loan agreement included an obligation to buy Elliott for £35 million if he made 10 or more appearances. Emery decided within months that the player was not the right fit, forcing the club to carefully manage his game time to avoid triggering the costly clause.
Emery recently broke his silence on the matter, stating: "The problem we have with Harvey is this year he is on loan and in case he is playing matches, we must buy him. We decided two months ago we are not convinced to sign him, spending the money we need. This is the issue."
Emery's drive for perfection fuels transfer activity
This transfer manoeuvring comes as Villa enjoy an extraordinary 2025/26 season. After a surprising early stall, Emery's side has strung together 11 consecutive wins to surge to third in the Premier League, firmly in the title conversation.
Known for his obsessive pursuit of perfection, Emery is not resting on this success. The Spaniard is actively seeking to bolster his midfield options to maintain the team's consistency and push for the highest honours, making the Gallagher deal a logical step in his long-term planning.
The potential arrival of Gallagher, a player Emery has coveted for years, signals Villa's ambition to solidify their status as a top-four force, while the Elliott situation highlights the calculated and sometimes ruthless decision-making required at the highest level of the sport.
