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Tottenham Hotspur have successfully hijacked Aston Villa’s move for Conor Gallagher, according to Fabrizio Romano, while our sources have revealed the huge sums he will earn in north London.

Gallagher has been heavily linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid in recent months as he eyes a return to the Premier League. Villa had been in pole position to sign the midfielder after opening ‘formal talks’ with Atleti.

Indeed, sources told us earlier on Monday that Gallagher had provisionally said yes to joining Unai Emery’s side.

But Tottenham hold long-standing interest in the player and moved in quickly to hijack Villa’s negotiations.

David Ornstein soon revealed that Spurs were closing in on a €40million (£35m) deal for Gallagher.

This was followed by Romano, who has given Gallagher’s switch to Spurs his ‘here we go’ confirmation.

The former Chelsea star has ‘informed Atleti about his decision to join Spurs’.

Sources have informed our transfer correspondent Fraser Fletcher that Gallagher has been told he will be a key player under Thomas Frank and central to the club’s rebuild.

TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey has also provided the following update: ‘Tottenham have outbid Villa for Conor Gallagher.

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Conor Gallagher to become Tottenham’s best-paid player – Sources

‘Villa were close to concluding a loan deal with an obligation, and talks went well between Gallagher and Unai Emery.

‘However, Spurs were being kept aware of the situation throughout and have now decided to push on and strike a deal.

‘They are prepared to pay €40m for him, more than Villa initially were in their overall deal, and we can confirm that Spurs have agreed to meet his pay demands.

‘We understand Spurs are prepared to break their wage structure, and make Gallagher their highest paid player – putting him on more than Cristian Romero.

‘The lure of a move back to London has also had a major bearing on Gallagher.’

Romero currently earns a reported £200,000 a week, which will soon be eclipsed by Gallagher.

TEAMtalk’s Dean Jones added: ‘As we reported at the weekend, Tottenham decided to re-enter the race for Gallagher because Villa had made an approach. They did not want to sit back and watch.

‘They know Villa’s proposal was good from a sporting perspective but they have been able to appeal to the player in a different way. They have longer-term interest dating back one year, so he knows they truly admire him and that he will be central to how they build from here.

‘They have told him they are going to follow up his signing with some more statement moves in the market. They have also made a very big statement financially, in terms of his personal terms.

‘His family live close to London still and he is very close knit with them in terms of how he values that. Being away in Spain gave him a new challenge but the chances to be back in familiar surroundings will help. This is a bold move from Spurs but one they completely believe in.

‘Gallagher has the energy, quality and experience they have been crying out for. Frank is behind the move and will be relieved if the deal is completed.’

Tottenham Hotspur are set to face huge disappointment in their quest to bring Conor Gallagher to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with sources telling TEAMtalk the Atletico Madrid midfielder’s current stance on joining Aston Villa and playing for manager Unai Emery.

With Rodrigo Bentancur out of action for at least three months, Tottenham are aware of the need to press ahead to sign Gallagher and enhance the chances of the 2025/26 campaign being successful under manager Thomas Frank.

However, Aston Villa have been posing a major challenge for Spurs, with our transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, reporting on January 9 that the Villans have made a ‘definitive move’ for the former Chelsea midfielder.

On January 12, multiple sources revealed that Villa are in talks with Atletico over a deal for Gallagher, including transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Journalist Ben Jacobs wrote on X at 3:46pm on January 12 that “Aston Villa now in formal talks with Atletico Madrid over a loan with a conditional obligation for Conor Gallagher”, adding that the Spanish club “value” the England international at “around €30m (£25m) with loan fee and wage coverage on top”.

Sources have now told our transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, that Gallagher has said yes to a potential move to Villa.

We understand that talks between Gallagher’s camp and Villa are going on at the moment, with the former Chelsea midfielder keen on a switch to Villa Park.

Villa and Atletico are in talks over a loan deal for Gallagher, with the midfielder open to joining Unai Emery’s side on a permanent basis, too.

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What Tottenham feel about around Gallagher’s Aston Villa stance – sources

Our transfer correspondent, Dean Jones, has reported that Tottenham fear that Gallagher’s preference to join Villa is because of the contrasting positions of the two clubs.

While Tottenham continue to project confidence in their own transfer strategy, there is a sense that issues around vision, leadership and stability are continuing to influence player decisions.

Villa’s ability to get the best from their squad, while also maintaining a push for the top four in the Premier League, is impressive.

Spurs, meanwhile, are currently 14th in the Premier League table, and the atmosphere around the club is negative as fans protest against the ownership and hold concerns about manager Thomas Frank.

Sources have told Dean Jones that Villa are currently seen as the more stable and clearly defined project.

Spurs’ interest in Gallagher is genuine, and we revealed over the weekend that they had re-entered the race in an attempt to challenge Villa.

However, a move to Emery’s side has continued to gather momentum, leaving Tottenham to put on a brave face as they fear they will miss out.

Tottenham have already missed out on Antoine Semenyo this season and suffered other high-profile transfer setbacks in the summer of 2025, including failed pursuits of Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze.

While missing out on Gallagher would not represent disappointment at quite the same level, the north London club would still need to move quickly towards alternative targets.

Sources insist there is significant ambition for this window, and we recently reported that Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is viewed internally as an ideal profile fit.

Wharton would also be a difficult acquisition, but Spurs would rather persist with top-tier targets than settle for compromise options at this stage of the window.

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Latest Tottenham and Aston Villa transfer news

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have learned the fee needed to sign Andriy Lunin from Real Madrid.

Sources have told us that Tottenham do not want to sell a forward, despite his wish to leave the north London club this month.

Meanwhile, we understand that Aston Villa are planning a shock move to bring back a former striker, but sources have told us that there is interest from Everton.

Tottenham Hotspur will not find it easy to bring Conor Gallagher to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the January transfer window, with Aston Villa set to agree on a deal with Atletico Madrid, as Rodrigo Bentancur is ruled out for three months.

Gallagher has been making the headlines in recent times, with both Tottenham and Villa keen on the former Chelsea midfielder. The 25-year-old England international has become a bench-warmer at Atletico Madrid this season, with his days at the Spanish club numbered.

Described as a “priceless” player “with a great commitment to the team” by former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino on BBC Sport in February 2024, Gallagher has been restricted to just four starts in LaLiga and three starts in the Champions League for Atletico so far this season.

TEAMtalk has long reported Tottenham’s desire to sign Gallagher in the January transfer window, but Aston Villa have been pressing ahead in their quest to secure the services of the 25-year-old.

On January 9, our transfer correspondent, Graeme Bailey, broke the news that Aston Villa have made a ‘definitive move’ for Gallagher, who has already spoken to Atletico manager Diego Simeone about leaving in January.

Then two days later, on January 11, our transfer insider, Dean Jones, reported that despite Villa matching ahead for Gallagher, Tottenham remain keen on the midfielder, who will be allowed to leave Atletico should the Spanish club’s conditions for an exit be met.

Earlier on Monday, Spanish publication AS has now brought its take on the situation of the midfielder, with the Madrid-based media outlet claiming that there is a ‘war for Gallagher’.

The report has stated: ‘Conor Gallagher’s future is completely up in the air. The English midfielder is being monitored by several Premier League clubs.

‘Aston Villa were the first to initiate talks, but now Tottenham have joined the race. There’s a battle brewing in England for the Atletico Madrid player.

‘It is believed that the red and white club is only open to negotiations for a permanent deal and has no intention of letting Gallagher go on loan this month with an option or obligation to buy in the summer.’

However, it has now emerged that Villa are about to agree a deal with Atletico, with Tottenham seemingly set to lose the ‘war’ over Gallagher.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has reported on X at 2:19pm on January 12: ‘Aston Villa are on the verge of club-to-club agreement for Conor Gallagher.

‘Negotiations are at final stages with Atlético Madrid, loan with buy option clause to eventually becoming mandatory.

‘Talks to continue on player side now.’

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Rodrigo Bentancur injury makes Conor Gallagher deal imperative

Tottenham have long been looking at a deal for Gallagher in the January transfer window, and the injury suffered by Rodrigo Bentancur means that last season’s Europa League winners simply have to beat Aston Villa to the signature of the England international midfielder.

According to reliable sources such as Fabrizio Romano and BBC Sport, Bentancur will be out of action for at least three months.

The Tottenham midfielder needs hamstring surgery after he suffered the injury against Bournemouth last week.

We understand that Gallagher is ready to move to the Premier League, with the midfielder keen on cementing a place in the England squad for the World Cup finals in the summer of 2026.

Tottenham now need to step up their pursuit of Gallagher and do whatever they can to convince the midfielder to turn down Villa and move to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Even before the extent of Bentancur’s injury came to light, Tottenham knew that it was a case of ‘now or never’ regarding Gallagher, according to Dean Jones, and the situation is only going to get more urgent now for Spurs manager Thomas Frank.

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Latest Tottenham transfer news: Andriy Lunin fee, medical NOW

Meanwhile, a Spanish report has revealed how much Tottenham Hotspur need to pay Real Madrid to sign Andriy Lunin in the January transfer window.

Tottenham are on the verge of making a major signing, with the star undergoing a medical on Monday.

Tottenham will lose Rodrigo Bentancur for around three months after determining his hamstring injury requires surgery, and Spurs are now ramping up efforts to sign a readymade and impactful central midfielder.

Bentancur, 28, has been a regular starter in Thomas Frank’s ever-changing midfield this season. Very little seems to go right for the struggling Spurs boss right now and against Bournemouth last week, Bentancur picked up a hamstring issue late in the contest.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham have now determined the injury’s severity and it’s worst-case scenario.

Taking to X, Romano stated Bentancur will now undergo surgery to repair the problem, thus ruling him out for roughly three months.

“Rodrigo Bentancur will be out for three months as he needs surgery, back before the end of the season,” stated the reporter.

Losing the Uruguayan is a big blow for Frank and Spurs, and according to Romano, the club will now accelerate plans to sign a new central midfielder.

He continued: “Tottenham now to explore midfielders market in January.”

Romano did not name names, though TEAMtalk was informed of one player Spurs set their sights on over the past 48 hours and in the wake of Bentancur suffering his hamstring injury.

Transfer insider, Dean Jones, exclusively told us on Sunday that Tottenham are exploring a move for Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher.

The all-action midfielder has been on Spurs’ radar dating back to Ange Postecoglou’s time in charge, and he remains a key target in the present too.

Atleti are willing to offload Gallagher this month if their demands are met. They want a permanent sale, not a loan, and Aston Villa at the behest of Unai Emery thundered into the race last week.

But according to Jones, Tottenham are well aware it’s now or never for Gallagher amid Villa ramping up their own pursuit, and Bentancur’s lay-off will only serve to increase their desire to sign the 25-year-old.

Atleti signed Gallagher for £34m in the summer of 2024. The LaLiga side are looking to roughly break even when cashing in.

Another of our transfer correspondents, Graeme Bailey, has been informed Gallagher is open to returning to England this month.

Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace is on Spurs’ radar and ‘discreet enquiries’ into his signing have been made.

However, a move for Wharton looks extremely ambitious. It’s the same story regarding Carlos Baleba, who Spurs will struggle to out-gun Manchester United for when the time comes for the midfield destroyer to leave Brighton.

From further afield, Parma’s Mandela Keita has been scouted in recent weeks , and Sporting CP’s Morten Hjulmand is admired.

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Latest Tottenham news – Signing finalised TODAY / Paratici, Tel, Frank…

In other news, Tottenham will wrap up a fully agreed signing in a problem position later today, though that might not be the only move made.

Fabio Paratici – Tottenham’s co-sporting director – will leave the club at the end of the January window. Paratici is expected to return to Italy where he’ll join Fiorentina.

Elsewhere, Tottenham have told Mathys Tel that they currently have no plans to let him leave the club this month, though there are circumstances in which that could change, TEAMtalk understands, while a loan bid for a second Spurs star has also been rejected.

Real Madrid have set a reasonable price tag on a player that Tottenham Hotspur are keen on bringing to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, according to a report in Spain, and there is no doubt that he would get into Spurs manager Thomas Frank’s starting lineup.

Tottenham’s season is unravelling, with the 2024/25 Europa League winners getting knocked out of the FA Cup on Saturday after losing 2-1 to Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the third round. It came after a 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League, with Frank making a major blunder with an Arsenal-branded cup.

With Tottenham as low as 14th in the Premier League table at the moment, pressure is mounting on Frank, who was appointed in his role as manager of the north London club in the summer of 2025 and is facing the sack.

However, Tottenham are determined to salvage their season, and sources have told TEAMtalk that signing a goalkeeper is on the agenda.

Our transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, reported on December 17 that Tottenham are monitoring Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and James Trafford of Manchester City.

Sources have told us that there are growing concerns over Guglielmo Vicario, who has been criticised for his mistakes between the Tottenham posts.

On January 7, our transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, reported that Tottenham are looking at a possible deal for Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.

Lunin is behind Thibaut Courtois in the Madrid pecking order, with the Ukraine international goalkeeper’s camp working on a possible exit in 2026.

Tottenham have now been made aware of the transfer fee that they need to pay to Madrid for Lunin.

According to Defensa Central, Madrid are ‘very clear’ on Lunin’s situation and will sell him if they get an offer of €30million (£26m, $35m) and if the goalkeeper himself wants to leave.

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Andriy Lunin an upgrade on Guglielmo Vicario

Lunin may be the second-choice goalkeeper at Madrid, but he is a far better goalkeeper than Vicario.

Whenever the Ukrainian has been asked to play instead of Courtois, he has stepped up his game and done his job, such as his hugely impressive performances against RB Leipzig and Manchester City in the 2023/24 campaign.

Lunin is only 26, and a regular run of games would make him a better goalkeeper.

Madrid would have got rid of Lunin long ago had they not felt that he was at least good enough to be a number two at Estadio Bernabeu.

There is no doubt that if Tottenham sign Lunin this month, then the Ukrainian star would walk into Frank’s starting line-up and replace Vicario between the posts.

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Latest Tottenham transfer news: Medical NOW, star exit’s blocked

Meanwhile, Tottenham are set to complete a deal on Monday, with the star about to undergo a medical with last season’s Europa League winners.

Sources have told our transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, that Tottenham have put their foot down on a player who wants to leave.

Tottenham will wrap up a fully agreed signing in a problem position later today, though that might not be the only move made.

Tottenham are in desperate need of a lift right now and one way in which the club can engineer that boost is through the transfer market.

Left-back is proving a troublesome area for Thomas Frank so far, with Destiny Udogie not fully trusted. Ben Davies is now well into his thirties, while Djed Spence can provide cover, but is a right-back by trade.

Accordingly, Tottenham agreed a deal with Santos on Friday for the signing of Brazilian left-back, Souza.

The 19-year-old is costing €15m to sign, though Spurs did work their magic in negotiations after Santos originally set their stall out at €20m.

And according to the latest from trusted reporter Edu Burgos, Souza will fly into England today to complete his medical and finalise the move.

Taking to X, Burgos wrote: “Souza is traveling this Monday to England to undergo the medical exams and sign his contract.

“Santos and Tottenham have already reached a total agreement for the player. It was finalised [on Sunday afternoon].

“Five-year contract, until 2031. Santos will receive €15m, fixed and variables.”

Burgos’ claims were quickly backed up by Ben Jacobs who wrote on the same platform: “Souza will fly to England on Monday to complete his €15m move to Spurs. Five-year contract agreed.”

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More left-back movement?

As mentioned, the left-back position is under scrutiny in north London right now and our insider, Fraser Fletcher, has been informed on the uncertainty surrounding Udogie and his long-term future at the club.

Last week, Fletcher brought news of Tottenham taking a close look at Borussia Monchengladbach’s Luca Netz, who would be signed as well as Souza and not instead of.

Netz, 22, has been on Spurs’ radar for some time and is primed to become a free agent when his contract expires next summer.

However, Spurs are eager to accelerate the process and secure his services as early as this January transfer window.

Early conversations have happened, with Tottenham prepared to table a modest fee to pry him away from the German side mid-season.

Latest Tottenham news – Paratici leaving / Tel blocked / Frank sack

In other news, Fabio Paratici – Tottenham’s co-sporting director – will leave the club at the end of the January window. Paratici is expected to return to Italy where he’ll join Fiorentina.

Elsewhere, Tottenham have told Mathys Tel that they currently have no plans to let him leave the club this month, though there are circumstances in which that could change, TEAMtalk understands, while a loan bid for a second Spurs star has also been rejected.

Tottenham Hotspur have told Mathys Tel that they currently have no plans to let him leave the club this month, though there are circumstances in which that could change, TEAMtalk understands, while a loan bid for a second Spurs star has also been rejected.

The French striker moved to Tottenham Hotspur one year ago, having failed to convince Vincent Kompany he was worthy of a regular start at Bayern Munich. Joining on an initial loan, the move was turned into a permanent £30m (€35m, $41m) transfer back in June.

However, the deal is yet to truly pay dividends and the 20-year-old striker has managed just six goals in 38 appearances for Spurs so far.

Tel voiced concerns to Spurs earlier this month that he was not playing enough, and news broke over the weekend that his camp have been busy contacting various clubs in the New Year to assess the situation.

Indeed, it was revealed that Tel was ‘listening to exit offers’ as he weighs up a future away from north London and with a host of clubs from throughout Europe having since made contact with Spurs to register their interest in the France Under-21s striker.

Tel has started just five league games all season, though he has been named in Thomas Frank’s starting XI in the last three matches.

We can now reveal that Spurs have now informed Tel, as well as his potential suitors, that a deal is currently not being considered.

A source confirmed that Spurs respect Tel’s situation, in that he believes regular football could result in him making a push for the French World Cup squad, but the club do not feel they are in a position to let him go.

However, we are informed that should Spurs be successful in bringing in another forward, which they are trying to do, they would reassess Tel’s situation.

Tel himself sees a long-term future for himself in North London, but his main concern is for the rest of this season.

His former club Paris FC are one team who are willing to offer him regular football, but they are not alone with numerous sides also keen.

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Tottenham reject Radu Dragusin approach; pressure builds on Thomas Frank

Meanwhile, Tottenham have rejected a loan bid from Roma for Radu Dragusin, with the Romanian star seemingly open to a move away after a frustrating two-year spell in N17.

Dragusin, 23, became the most expensive Romanian footballer of all time upon joining Tottenham two years ago. The centre-back cost €25m when signed from Genoa, though suffered an ACL injury last January that robbed the defender of nearly a year of his career.

Dragusin has since returned to full fitness and has been included in Spurs’ last six matchday squads.

However, when all are fit, Dragusin appears unlikely to feature all that much in north London, with Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven the first-choice pairing and Kevin Danso providing adequate support.

As such, Serie A title challengers Roma sensed an opportunity to strike, and according to Sky Italia, they lodged a loan approach. Per the report, the loan bid also contained an option to buy, though how much for was not made clear.

Tottenham have now responded to the bid, with Sky Sports now confirming the offer has been rejected.

However, if the words from his agent are anything to go by, then a move will be sanctioned in due course.

Elsewhere, Thomas Frank is coming under increasing pressure at Spurs, and one observer believes it’ll all implode if one thing happens, while TEAMtalk have been provided with an exclusive update on the state of play in north London.

In other news, Tottenham are exploring a move for Conor Gallagher and are aware it’s now or never as they strive to sign the 22-times capped England international.

Spurs have also reportedly tabled an offer of £52million to sign a brilliant Real Madrid player, as the north London outfit look to appease a fanbase that is growing increasingly agitated.

Thomas Frank is coming under increasing pressure at Tottenham and one observer believes it’ll all implode if one thing happens, while TEAMtalk have been provided with an exclusive update on the state of play in north London.

Frank has lost just as many games as he’s won since taking charge at Tottenham, with his record reading 11 wins, nine draws, 11 defeats.

Those are the types of numbers put up by mid-table clubs, and that is not what Spurs had in mind when hiring the Dane to replace Ange Postecoglou.

Both the fans and players have shown dissatisfaction with Frank in recent weeks, and according to broadcaster and pundit, Jacqui Oatley, the situation could quickly devolve into a “full-blown mega multi-crisis” as early as next weekend.

That is when Tottenham play their next match against London rivals West Ham who haven’t won a league game since November 8.

“I think the key thing now is the next three or four games,” began Oatley.

“They’ve got West Ham at home. Now, lose that, and this crisis becomes a full-blown mega multi-crisis.

“Then they’ve got Borussia Dortmund at home in the Champions League. They are well-placed, potentially for a top-eight finish [in the Champions League].

“And then they’ve got Burnley as well in the Premier League, so these are really crucial games for Thomas Frank now.”

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What we’re hearing on Thomas Frank sack

TEAMtalk tasked insider, Graeme Bailey, with speaking to sources high up in the Tottenham food chain about Frank’s situation.

Reporting back on Sunday evening, Bailey explained: ‘Tottenham Hotspur’s hierarchy are split on the future of Thomas Frank, but the club remain determined not to make a change this season.’

‘Spurs CEO Vinai Venkatesham believed he landed the right man in the summer when luring Frank across London from Brentford.

‘However, we are now told by sources that Venkatesham was warned by some members of Spurs’ hierarchy that the former Arsenal man was not a good fit in terms of his system and the Tottenham players already in situ.

‘The source, who spoke to us on the guarantee he would not be named, told us: “Vinai feels Thomas is such a great fit for Spurs in so many ways. A great person, character – who is well liked, but he was warned that the system would not be a fit.

“There is a real concern in the club, up high, that this is how things are playing out. The players like Thomas, but do they believe in what he is asking? That is the worry.”

Bailey added: ‘Now with Spurs sitting in 14th and with just one win in their last seven games, including an FA Cup exit to Aston Villa on Saturday, pressure is mounting.

‘Spurs are ready to invest this month and want Frank to succeed, and insist they do not want to make a mid-season change. But forthcoming games against West Ham and Borussia Dortmund are huge.

‘We are told that whilst Tottenham would not describe the current situation as Frank being given the dreaded ‘vote of confidence’ it does seem it is close to that situation.’

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Latest Tottenham news – Now or never transfer / Brahim Diaz / Dragusin bid

In other news, Tottenham are exploring a move for Conor Gallagher and amid a ‘definitive move’ made by Aston Villa, they’re aware it’s now or never.

Spurs have reportedly tabled an offer of £52million to sign Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz, as the north London outfit look to appease a fanbase that is growing increasingly agitated.

Tottenham are pushing to beat Aston Villa to the signing of Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, while reports suggest they have submitted a bid for a Real Madrid star, and we have revealed the latest on the potential sacking of Thomas Frank.

As we have consistently reported, Spurs are keen to add players in multiple positions this month, as their hierarchy recognises the squad is not at the required level.

That has been evidenced in Tottenham’s recent performances, with the London side knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa yesterday, and picking up just two points from their last six Premier League games, leaving them 14th in the table.

Spurs are desperate to improve their standing in the league and also have a successful Champions League campaign, following their Europa League triumph last term.

But new signings are needed for that to happen, and the club are considering moves from two of LaLiga’s biggest clubs this month, while the arrival of Brazilian left-back Souza is imminent.

Tottenham primed to make Conor Gallagher move

As previously reported, Atletico will allow Gallagher to leave the club this month – as long as their wishes and demands are met.

We understand that the Spanish club would accept a loan exit if it includes an obligation to buy, and a number of Premier League clubs are interested.

Gallagher, for his part, is keen on a return to the Prem as he looks to force his way back into the England squad, which has proven difficult recently due to his limited playing time for Atletico.

Aston Villa exploded into the race for Gallagher earlier this week, with our transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, confirming that Unai Emery’s side have made a ‘definitive move’ for the 25-year-old.

In an update today, our correspondent Dean Jones revealed in an update that Tottenham know this is a ‘now or never’ moment if they want to sign Gallagher.

Sources admit there has been some concern at Tottenham over the fact Gallagher’s contract at Atletico Madrid stretches towards the very top of their own wage ceiling,

However, if the finances around his personal terms can be negotiated, there has always been potential of attempting to bring him back to English football.

Now, there are new indications that Spurs remain interested in such a deal on the back of Villa thundering in.

They are becoming stretched in midfield and there is concern about how the second half of the season plays out if they do not add another option to the centre of the park. They are also yet to make a decision on whether to sign Bayern Munich loanee Joao Palhinha permanently.

Tottenham have long-term interest in the former Chelsea man and did look into a deal before he joined Atleti for £34m.

The coming days will be crucial in the race for Gallagher’s signature.

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Spurs submit ‘bid’ for Real Madrid man

In other news, Tottenham have reportedly submitted a shock £52m bid for Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz, as they look to fill the void left by the injured Mohammed Kudus.

Diaz, is undoubtedly a top quality player but doesn’t play consistently under Xabi Alonso. In fact, the 26-year-old has started just three times in LaLiga this term.

Diaz can play as a right or left-winger or as an attacking midfielder, so could provide cover in multiple positions for Tottenham.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Tottenham have put a £52m (€60m / $70m) offer on the table for the Moroccan forward, who is currently playing a starring role for his country at AFCON.

Diaz made history on Friday as he became the first Moroccan player ever to score in five consecutive AFCON matches in a single edition, with his side booking a semi-final spot with victory over Cameroon.

Madrid are said to be considering the offer, according to the report.

However, it’s worth noting that Fichajes have a history of making bold claims and the vast majority of them do not come to fruition, so their reporting must be taken with a big pinch of salt.

Spurs divided over Thomas Frank sack

Meanwhile, our insider Bailey revealed in an update today that Tottenham’s decision-makers are split over whether to sack Frank.

A source has exclusively told us how club CEO Vinai Venkatesham was warned by some members of Spurs’ hierarchy that Frank was not a good fit in terms of his system and the squad.

The source exclusively told us: “Vinai feels Thomas is such a great fit for Spurs in so many ways. A great person, character, who is well-liked, but he was warned that the system would not be a fit.

“There is a real concern in the club, up high, that this is how things are playing out. The players like Thomas, but do they believe in what he is asking? That is the worry.”

Tottenham Hotspur’s hierarchy are split on the future of Thomas Frank, but the club remain determined not to make a change this season, a well-placed source has told us.

Spurs CEO Vinai Venkatesham believed he landed the right man in the summer when luring Frank across London from Brentford, following the sacking of Ange Postecoglou.

However, we are now told by sources that Venkatesham was warned by some members of Spurs’ hierarchy that Frank was not a good fit in terms of his system and the Tottenham players.

The source, who spoke to us on the guarantee he would not be named, told us: “Vinai feels Thomas is such a great fit for Spurs in so many ways. A great person, character, who is well-liked, but he was warned that the system would not be a fit.

“There is a real concern in the club, up high, that this is how things are playing out. The players like Thomas, but do they believe in what he is asking? That is the worry.”

Now, with Spurs sitting in 14th and with just one win in their last seven games, including an FA Cup exit to Aston Villa on Saturday, pressure is mounting.

Spurs are ready to invest this month and want Frank to succeed, and insist they do not want to make a mid-season change. But forthcoming games against West Ham and Borussia Dortmund are huge for the manager.

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Thomas Frank faces crucial period to save his job

We are told that whilst Tottenham would not describe the current situation as Frank being given a ‘vote of confidence’ it does seem it is close to that situation.

But the frustration among supporters, which has been evident after the FA Cup loss to Aston Villa on Saturday, is not being ignored.

As my colleague, Fraser Fletcher, reported on Thursday (January 8) that Spurs’ board are ‘considering all options.’

However, Fletcher stated how there is a recognition that the squad is well below the level required and whoever the manager is, a major overhaul is needed to bring it up to standard.

Tottenham are yet to make a signing this month, but that is expected to change. They want to bring in a new winger following the sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace, but they’re also keen to strengthen in several other areas.

It is a crucial period for Frank, who needs to build a squad that fits his system.

But if Spurs fail to pick up positive results against West Ham and Dortmund, he might not get that chance.