In a major transfer move, Conor Gallagher is on the verge of signing a long-term deal with Tottenham Hotspur.
The 25-year-old midfielder has already flown to England to undergo his medical, and everything seems set for him to complete his £34.7 million switch from Atletico Madrid.
While the deal is nearly done, there are still a few formalities, with personal terms yet to be fully ironed out.
A Quick Decision Ahead of the Copa del Rey
Gallagher’s representatives are keen to get the move across the line before Atletico Madrid’s Copa del Rey match against Deportivo La Coruna on Tuesday evening.
Time is ticking, and both the player and the clubs involved are looking to finalize the details quickly.
Interestingly, Tottenham’s move has come at the expense of Aston Villa, who had also been in the running for Gallagher.
Villa had suggested a loan deal with an obligation to buy, but Tottenham has clearly moved faster to seal the transfer.
Tottenham’s Midfield Crisis
Tottenham’s need for a midfielder became pressing after news broke that Rodrigo Bentancur would be out for a significant part of the season.
Bentancur, who suffered a hamstring injury during Tottenham’s 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth last week, will be sidelined for months.
To make matters worse, Lucas Bergvall is also injured, and there’s no clear timeline for his return.
With key players like James Maddison (who tore his ACL during pre-season) and Dejan Kulusevski (out with a knee injury since April), Spurs were left with a severely depleted midfield.
The club’s manager, Thomas Frank, has indicated that Kulusevski’s return could take another three to four weeks, leaving Spurs scrambling for reinforcements.
Why a Loan Deal Wasn’t Possible
Initially, Tottenham had hoped to secure Gallagher on a loan deal, but Atletico Madrid made it clear that wasn’t an option.
They were determined to sell the player outright, which opened the door for Spurs to negotiate a permanent move.
Given their packed fixture schedule, Tottenham’s need for reinforcements has become even more urgent.
With midweek matches coming thick and fast over the next month, including a crucial Premier League clash with West Ham on Saturday and a Champions League tie against Dortmund, the club can’t afford to wait too long to bring in a replacement.
A Brief Stint in Madrid
It’s worth noting that Gallagher’s move to Atletico Madrid just last summer was a significant one.
The English midfielder had spent years at Chelsea before making the £34 million switch to Spain.
Although his first season at Atletico was relatively successful, this campaign saw him relegated to a more limited role, often coming off the bench.
That has likely played a part in his decision to seek a fresh start at Tottenham, where he’s expected to see more playing time.
What’s Next for Gallagher?
With the move nearly done, all that’s left is to finalize the personal terms and get Gallagher officially into the Tottenham squad.
Spurs fans are eagerly anticipating the addition of a talented, dynamic midfielder who could add energy and depth to a squad that is already struggling with injuries.
If all goes according to plan, Gallagher will soon be a key part of Spurs’ midfield, helping them navigate a demanding season ahead.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn