Tottenham Hotspur are on the brink of a marquee signing, with Atletico Madrid's Conor Gallagher in their sights. Spurs have ramped up their pursuit of the ex-Chelsea star, despite stiff competition from Premier League rivals Aston Villa. The north London club's quest for midfield reinforcements took on greater urgency following the news that Rodrigo Bentancur is set for a three-month layoff due to hamstring surgery. It's understood that Spurs and Atletico have now agreed on a deal worth approximately €40million (£34.7m), leaving Villa - who had hoped to secure Gallagher on loan with an option to buy - out in the cold.
Gallagher is expected to arrive in London early this week to complete his medical and finalise the transfer. He will pen a long-term contract, with personal terms not anticipated to pose any problems. Atletico were more inclined to offload the 25-year-old permanently this month rather than agree to a loan with an option or obligation to buy in the summer. Tottenham's readiness to commit to an outright purchase has been instrumental in outmanoeuvring Villa in the race for the midfield maestro.
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While other clubs expressed interest, they were either unwilling to commit to a permanent deal this month or would have preferred a loan arrangement with a view to a future purchase.
Spurs' apparent triumph in securing Gallagher's services will be a significant setback for Villa, as Unai Emery grapples with a shortage of midfielders due to injuries to Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley.
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For the North London outfit, this is a major coup as they strive to bounce back from a dismal winter spell that saw them secure just two victories in 12 Premier League games, leaving them languishing in 14th place.
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It seems Spurs have taken lessons from past blunders, such as the chaotic Eberechi Eze saga last summer, which saw the midfielder make a last-minute switch to their bitter north London rivals, Arsenal.
This time around, however, Spurs appear to have gained the upper hand over one of their Premier League adversaries, and it's a move that should prove beneficial for both parties.
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Gallagher has found regular first-team football hard to come by under Diego Simeone this season, having made a mere four starts in LaLiga, and he now stands on the cusp of a Premier League return.
He'll be hoping a fresh start enhances his chances of impressing Thomas Tuchel and securing a spot in England's World Cup squad this summer.
Before his move to Atletico, Gallagher had a highly successful stint in the English top-flight, making a name for himself during an impressive loan spell at Crystal Palace in the 2021-22 season. He returned to Stamford Bridge to play a pivotal role in the first team and even wore the captain's armband before being nudged towards the exit in a £33m deal.
Boasting 136 Premier League appearances, including a loan stint at West Brom before his standout season at Palace, he has netted 18 goals and provided 13 assists.
At the age of 25, he still has much to contribute and will bring a wealth of experience to a team in dire need of a lift.
Frank's tenure has been challenging since his summer move from Brentford, with the FA Cup third-round loss to Aston Villa adding further strain on the head coach.
With only five victories in his last 20 matches and seven losses in his last 13 across all competitions, Frank is banking on new additions to turn the tide.
Spurs are also on the verge of securing another signing, with highly-regarded Brazilian left-back Souza nearing a £13m transfer from Santos.