Tottenham Hotspur’s search for midfield reinforcements has taken a dramatic turn as the club closes in on the signing of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid. The 25-year-old England international is set to return to the Premier League after a challenging stint in Spain, with sources across the football world confirming that Spurs and Atletico have agreed on a deal worth around £34-35 million (€40 million). The move comes at a critical juncture for Tottenham, who are reeling from the loss of key midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur to a long-term hamstring injury.
Gallagher’s journey has been anything but straightforward. After joining Atletico Madrid from Chelsea in August 2024 for a fee reported between £33 million and £38 million, the energetic midfielder was initially a regular under Diego Simeone, making 50 appearances and notching four goals in his first season. However, this campaign has seen his minutes dwindle, with only four La Liga starts as Atletico bolstered their midfield ranks with the likes of Johnny Cardoso, Álex Baena, Thiago Almada, and Nico González. Competition for places intensified, and Gallagher found himself on the fringes, despite being named in the starting lineup for the Supercopa de España loss to Real Madrid just last week.
Tottenham’s interest in Gallagher is not new. Manager Ange Postecoglou had reportedly identified him as a primary target ahead of the 2023-24 season, viewing him as the perfect fit to inject energy and drive into the Spurs midfield. Yet, previous transfer windows saw the North London club miss out, much to the frustration of Postecoglou and the Tottenham faithful. This time, however, circumstances have conspired to bring player and club together. Spurs’ midfield has struggled with under-investment and a spate of injuries, none more damaging than the recent setback to Bentancur, who will be sidelined for at least three months following surgery.
The urgency to reinforce became palpable as Tottenham ramped up their pursuit of Gallagher, facing stiff competition from Aston Villa. Villa, who were initially in pole position, sought an initial loan deal with an option to buy, but their insistence on financial discipline meant they ultimately fell short. According to multiple reports, including from The Athletic and Sky Sports News, Gallagher himself favored a permanent return to England and specifically to North London, having informed Atletico of his decision to join Spurs. The player is expected to fly into London on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, to undergo a medical and finalize the details of a long-term contract.
Gallagher’s Premier League pedigree is well established. Before his Spanish adventure, he made 136 appearances in England’s top flight for West Brom, Crystal Palace, and Chelsea. His tenacity, work rate, and ability to drive forward from midfield have long been admired by Tottenham’s recruitment team. As Jack Pitt-Brooke of The Athletic noted, “Tottenham have been interested 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 the move is not without its critics. Some voices in the Tottenham community have expressed skepticism about the club’s transfer strategy, with one columnist quipping, “If Spurs actually do sign Conor Gallagher here shortly, it says a LOT about what a trash fire this club’s operations are. This is not a plan! There is no plan!” Still, even the skeptics concede that Gallagher’s arrival would provide an immediate boost to a beleaguered squad. “He’d be probably the third or fourth best midfielder currently on the squad (assuming all of them are healthy) and lord knows we’re going to have a hard time getting through the rest of the season without adding SOMEBODY,” the same writer admitted.
For Gallagher, the move represents more than just a change of scenery. With England’s national team manager Thomas Tuchel having called him up only once—giving him 59 minutes in a friendly defeat to Senegal—Gallagher is keen to reignite his international career ahead of this summer’s World Cup. He was a regular fixture in Gareth Southgate’s squads for the last three major tournaments, but has been overlooked by Tuchel so far this season. A successful stint at Tottenham could be just the ticket to force his way back into the England reckoning.
From Atletico’s perspective, Gallagher’s departure marks the end of a 17-18 month chapter. The Spanish giants finished third in La Liga last season and reached the semifinals of the Copa del Rey and the Champions League round of 16, but Gallagher’s influence waned as new signings arrived. Despite a contract running until 2029, the player’s desire to return to England proved decisive. Aston Villa’s efforts ultimately fell short, with the Birmingham club unable to convince Gallagher to give the final green light, even after agreeing terms with Atletico.
As for Tottenham, the deal is seen as a statement of intent at a time when the club desperately needs one. The midfield has lacked both depth and dynamism, and the pressure on young talents like Archie Gray and returning stars such as Pape Matar Sarr has been immense. Gallagher’s experience, versatility, and proven Premier League quality make him an attractive solution. As one analysis put it, “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.”
While personal terms are yet to be officially agreed, sources close to the negotiations suggest this is a mere formality. Gallagher is eager to finalize the transfer before Atletico’s Copa del Rey clash with Deportivo, signaling his intent to hit the ground running in North London. The move is expected to be completed within the next 24 hours, pending the successful completion of his medical.
With the January transfer window heating up, Tottenham’s swoop for Conor Gallagher could prove to be one of the most significant moves of the season. Spurs fans will be hoping that the England international can help steady the ship and provide the spark needed to reignite their campaign. All eyes now turn to London, where Gallagher is set to become the newest addition to Ange Postecoglou’s squad—a transfer saga nearing its conclusion, but a new chapter just beginning for both player and club.
