Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on the signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher, in what is a brilliant deal for ENIC and the club.
According to GIVEMESPORT sources, the England international is set to sign a five-and-a-half year deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, after Spurs agreed a deal worth £35m with the La Liga giants.
The 25-year-old is likely to be the first arrival of the January transfer window for manager Thomas Frank, although he should be joined shortly by Santos left-back Souza after a transfer was agreed and a medical booked for the Brazilian teenager this week, as per GMS sources.
Tottenham Receive Big Transfer Boost
Central midfield was an area Tottenham were looking at coming into the mid-season transfer window, but their need for a central midfielder was heightened by an injury to Rodrigo Bentancur, who has been ruled out for three months with an injury.
The partnership between the Uruguayan and Joao Palhinha has come under scrutiny this season, with the lack of attacking impact from the duo proving to be an issue.
As a result, younger Spurs stars like Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr have played there instead of one or both of Palhinha and Bentancur when fit, but it has clearly been a bit of a problem position for Frank this season.
The Dane is coming under pressure from supporters with the club lying in 14th position in the Premier League table, and Tottenham have backed their manager with the addition of Gallagher as they look to move back up the standings in the second half of the campaign.
Gallagher Signing an ENIC Masterclass
Early on Monday, Aston Villa were in pole position to bring a frustrated Conor Gallagher back to the Premier League after agreeing a loan deal with a buy option that would become mandatory with Atletico.
However, Spurs heightened their bid for long-term target Gallagher following the news on Bentancur, and offered the Spanish club a permanent deal this month for £35m.
In the modern era of transfers, that fee should be seen as something of a bargain for a player of the quality and experience of Gallagher, while Tottenham have shown they still have that pulling power with Gallagher green-lighting the move.
The England international has made 136 Premier League appearances, more than 50 in La Liga for Atletico and also has 23 outings in the Champions League.
Journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke has previously likened Gallagher to a 'Poch-era Dele Alli' because of his relentless pressing and ability to win the ball back, and his energy, box-to-box nature and passing ability in tight spaces will be particularly effective in a Tottenham shirt.
Gallagher also has a major motivation to perform at the top of his ability in the next months, as he looks to secure a spot in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup in North America this summer.
The midfielder celebrates his 26th birthday next month and should be in the prime years of his career during his time at Tottenham.
What Other Business Could Tottenham do in January?
Spurs are also said to want to bring in a new forward after strengthening the central midfield and left-back positions.
The club has been linked with moves for West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta, RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande and Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz in recent days, with reports from Spain saying they have actually submitted a bid for the latter.
If deals for Gallagher and Souza are finalised by the end of this week, Spurs will have the remainder of the window to fully concentrate on signing a new attacker for Frank.