Conor Gallagher leaped at the opportunity to join Tottenham Hotspur in January and his £200k-per-week salary leaves little wonder behind his return to London.
Tottenham’s strict wage structure is well-known and has held the club back from continuing their progression from the days of Mauricio Pochettino.
The Lilywhites have never been a club that would break their wage structure to bring in a game-changing signing despite having the PSR headroom to do so.
Having signed Gallagher from Atletico Madrid for around £35m in January, The Guardian have now revealed the midfielder to be earning £200k-per-week in N17.
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That figure makes Gallagher Tottenham’s highest-earning player and asks the question of who is actually steering the ship at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Conor Gallagher’s salary highlights the Lewis family’s lost control at Tottenham
In the North London Derby at the weekend, Gallagher was hooked off by Igor Tudor shortly after the hour mark.
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It has not been a convincing start from the 26-year-old midfielder, who has started all six Premier League games since making his move.
Gallagher’s considerable pay packet is viewed as a turning point by those at the top of the club, with more big signings expected in the summer on the basis that Spurs avoid the drop.
The Lewis family are rightfully coming under scrutiny for the way the club is being run, with Vinai Venkatesham and Johan Lange steering the club towards relegation.
Wayne Rooney criticised Gallagher’s Spurs debut, with the midfielder still yet to really demonstrate what he is going to provide this Spurs side.
Tottenham absolutely must break their wage structure if they have any hope of getting back to the club they were just a couple of years ago.
However, for the Lilywhites to start this fresh outlook by signing Gallagher up to such a significant salary just sums up the poor judgement calls being made at board level.
Where Tottenham’s highest-earners rank after Conor Gallagher’s arrival
Gallagher’s staggering weekly wage has now set the precedent for any future Spurs signings and even potential contract renewals.
Although there may be doubts over his future, Spurs want to sign Micky van de Ven to a new deal, but his demands will only have increased on the back of Gallagher’s salary reveal.
There has to be a feeling that with every step forward, Tottenham take two steps back.
Bringing in players on a new wage structure should only benefit the club, but the board still has to be selective about which players they award the big wages to.
Of course, this all relies on Spurs dragging themselves out of the mess they find themselves in amongst the relegation battle.