Spurs transfer news: Atletico Madrid 'interested' in midfielder amid Conor Gallagher uncertainty

Atletico Madrid allegedly hold an interest in signing a Tottenham Hotspur midfielder at some point in 2026.

Diego Simeone has just overseen a major rebuild at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in the hope of closing the gap on Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Instead, Atletico have endured a dismal start to the campaign, failing to win any of their games against Espanyol, Elche and Alaves.

Already sitting eight points adrift of leaders Real Madrid, the vast majority of people will deem that Atletico are already out of the title race.

Meanwhile, uncertainty remains over some of their squad players such as Conor Gallagher, who was linked with a return to the Premier League towards the end of the summer transfer window.

Atletico considering Gallagher replacements?

Gallagher has accumulated just 86 minutes of football across the aforementioned La Liga triple-header, not playing more than 45 minutes in a game.

That pattern has extended since the Club World Cup, casting doubt as to whether Simeone will soon be attempting to sign an alternative.

According to Fichajes, Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is someone who is being considered by Simeone.

The 28-year-old has been a valuable asset to Spurs, contributing nine goals and eight assists from 117 appearances since the start of 2022.

However, the Uruguay international's contract is due to expire at the end of the season, making him an attractive option for clubs around Europe and potentially in South America.

Atletico would allegedly only consider signing Bentancur if he becomes a free agent, there being the option of negotiations being held as soon as January.

Simeone is said to view him as someone who could adapt seamlessly to his system and make an impact in the engine room.

Financial benefit a further positive?

Much may depend on whether Atletico are able to at least recoup the fee that they shelled out on Gallagher last year, believed to be in the region of £34m.

When Manchester United reportedly showed an interest over the past two weeks, Atletico were against any kind of loan agreement.

There are still just under four years remaining on the contract of the England international.