£25m BARGAIN ALERT! The Centre Mid That Has Gary Lineker DROOLING Could Be West Ham’s FOREVER… This Transfer is About to BREAK the Internet!

Lucas Paquetá’s future at West Ham United remains uncertain as the January transfer window progresses, with the Brazilian seemingly open to a move away from the London Stadium.

Should Paquetá depart before the end of the month, the Hammers would be left short in midfield and forced to act swiftly to find a suitable replacement.

One name that continues to surface is Conor Gallagher, a player West Ham have admired for some time and whose profile fits their needs.

Gallagher has long been on West Ham’s radar, with the club retaining an interest despite failing to land him back in 2023. Now, circumstances appear to be working in their favour.

According to Give Me Sport journalist Ben Jacobs, Atletico Madrid are prepared to sanction the midfielder’s exit during this window, opening the door to a potential Premier League return.

Since completing his move from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid in 2024, Gallagher has struggled to cement himself as a consistent starter under Diego Simeone.

While his energy and versatility are appreciated, he has not become a guaranteed first-choice option, prompting Atletico to reassess his role in the squad.

As a result, Los Rojiblancos are understood to be willing to let the 25-year-old leave for a fee in the region of £25 million.

That figure represents a slight loss for the Spanish side, who paid approximately £35.8 million to sign the England international around 18 months ago.

Nevertheless, Atletico are open to doing business, with the preference being a permanent transfer.

A loan deal with an obligation to buy has also been discussed as a possible compromise.

West Ham are not alone in their interest. Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are also monitoring Gallagher’s situation closely, with Football London reporting that a move back to England looks increasingly likely before the window shuts.

Jacobs confirmed on X that Villa are among the clubs to have made enquiries, noting that Atletico’s valuation has dropped slightly since the summer.

Gallagher’s reputation in England remains strong, bolstered by praise from high-profile figures.

During his time at Chelsea in 2023, Gary Lineker highlighted the midfielder’s tireless work rate and impressive output at both ends of the pitch, pointing to his strong underlying numbers.

Former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino also spoke glowingly about Gallagher’s commitment, describing his all-action style and willingness to contribute defensively and offensively as invaluable qualities.

Despite interest from multiple sides, Aston Villa currently appear to be leading the race.

While Spurs and West Ham are only loosely linked at this stage, Villa have taken concrete steps to secure his signature.

According to Fabrizio Romano, talks between Villa and Atletico Madrid are at an advanced stage, with Gallagher expected to join on loan initially, with an option that will become a mandatory purchase.

As things stand, Villa are favourites, but with West Ham potentially needing midfield reinforcements urgently, the situation remains one to watch closely as the January window nears its conclusion.