Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on a deal to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher.
Spurs have made a bid for worth €40million (£34.7m), which is expected to be accepted — while the midfielder is keen on the move.
Aston Villa also held a strong interest in Gallagher, however no agreements were reached amid their desire to maintain financial discipline.
The 25-year-old England international has spent 18 months in Spain after joining Atletico from Chelsea in a £38m deal in the summer of 2024.
He was a regular under Diego Simeone in his first season, registering 50 appearances and four goals.
Minutes have been more sporadic this campaign, Gallagher making only four starts in La Liga — although he was named in the starting line-up for the Supercopa de Espana loss to Real Madrid on Thursday.
Gallagher came through Chelsea’s youth system and made 95 appearances for the senior side after loan spells at Charlton Athletic, Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace. The Athletic reported in the summer of 2025 that Palace were interested in re-signing him.
He was included in the England squad for the last three major international tournaments under Gareth Southgate but has not been called up by current head coach Thomas Tuchel this season.
Gallagher’s profile key for Spurs
Analysis by Jack Pitt-Brooke
Tottenham have been introduced in Conor Gallagher for years, ever since he was coming towards the end of his Chelsea contract and Ange Postecoglou saw him as the perfect man to add energy into their midfield. But Spurs could never do the deal, despite interest that spanned multiple windows, to Postecoglou’s frustration.
But Spurs have never really needed Gallagher as much as they do now. Their midfield has ground to a halt in recent years, suffering from under-investment and injuries to key players. Too many of the signings have not been ready, or quite good enough. Too much pressure has been placed on Rodrigo Bentancur, who is not as good as he was, and is now out for the next three months with a hamstring injury.
Tottenham desperately need someone who can set the tempo and drive forward in the middle of the pitch. A more experienced partner for Archie Gray, a more progressive alternative to Joao Palhinha.
Pape Matar Sarr will be back from the Africa Nations Cup soon but he cannot do it all himself. Gallagher would bring many of the football qualities Spurs need right now but also some of the mental qualities and experience, having proved himself at Chelsea and Atletico Madrid in recent years. It would be a statement of intent at a time when Tottenham need one.