Crystal Palace set sights on shock transfer for England star but face issue

Crystal Palace are mulling over an ambitious attempt to bring Conor Gallagher back to Selhurst Park but Atletico Madrid believe rival interest in the midfielder is growing elsewhere in the Premier League .

Gallagher, 25, was a huge hit in south London during a loan spell with Palace back in the 2021-22 campaign before going on to establish himself as a key player for his then-parent club, Chelsea . But the England star now plies his trade in La Liga after being controversially sold by the Blues last summer.

He signed a five-year contract with Atletico and made 50 appearances last season, though he started just 13 times in La Liga. But news of a potential return to England for the all-action midfielder still comes as somewhat of a shock.

While Crystal Palace are indeed keen on the idea of re-signing Gallagher, The Athletic report that other English clubs hold an interest the Chelsea academy graduate.

It's also noted that Atletico would prefer a permanent move rather than a loan if they do give Gallagher the green light to pursue a switch before the transfer window shuts on September 1.

Palace are in need of reinforcements over the next seven days after selling their talisman, Eberechi Eze, to Arsenal over the weekend. The attacking midfielder, 27, leaves for a club record £67.5million fee despite interest from the Gunners' north London rivals, Tottenham .

The Sun claim that Christos Tzolis, the Club Brugge winger, is one name on Palace's radar. They have also been credited with an interest in Leicester's Bilal El Khannouss who has been linked with a number of clubs since the Foxes' dropped out of the Premier League last season.

Unfortunately for Crystal Palace, Eze may not be the only high-profile departure before the transfer window shuts next Monday: Marc Guehi is also attracting interest and Liverpool remain keen on the 25-year-old, who is in the final year of his contract.

The Eagles risk losing Guehi for nothing next summer if they do not sell him, though their £45m asking price is understood to be too high for Liverpool as things stand.

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.