Conor Gallagher is expected to fly to England on Tuesday to undergo a medical at Tottenham and complete his £34.6million move from Atletico Madrid.
The former Chelsea midfielder is thought to have agreed a five-and-a-half-year contract and Spurs want to sign him in time to face West Ham on Saturday.
Spurs have swooped to sign Gallagher ahead of Aston Villa after Rodrigo Bentancur was ruled out for three months with a hamstring injury.
Gallagher is set to finalise a return to the Premier League 18 months after leaving Chelsea and his arrival is set to kickstart what could be a busy January of incomings for Spurs, who are also closing in on the £13m signing of Brazilian left-back Souza and want to sign a new forward.
Gallagher left Chelsea in a £38m deal 2024 and was a regular for Atletico Madrid in his first season under Diego Simeone, making 50 appearances.
But he has made only eight starts this season and wants more regular football in a bid to force his way back into the England squad ahead of the World Cup next summer.
Gallagher was in the England squad at the last three major international tournaments but has not been called up by Thomas Tuchel this season.
Spurs have been left in short in midfield after losing Bentancur to injury and they hope Gallagher will boost a team struggling under Thomas Frank.
Pape Sarr will be back from the Africa Cup of Nations soon but Spurs desperately need some quality in midfield.
Spurs have a long-standing interest in Gallagher and he is a statement signing at a time when the club needs a lift.