Tottenham Hotspur have staged a dramatic late transfer intervention, moving ahead of both Manchester United and Aston Villa to secure a deal for Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher.
Spurs Launch Permanent Offer to Hijack Deal
According to a major update from David Ornstein of The Athletic on Monday evening, Spurs are now 'closing in' on the shock signing. The North London club have reportedly made a permanent offer of €40 million (approximately £34.7 million) for the former Chelsea and Crystal Palace player.
This move comes after it emerged that Aston Villa had reached a verbal agreement with Atletico Madrid earlier on Monday for a loan deal with an option to buy. Tottenham's decisive switch to a straight cash purchase is expected to be accepted by the Spanish club, with Gallagher himself said to be keen on the switch to the Premier League.
Injury Crisis Forces Tottenham's Hand
Tottenham's urgent move into the market has been driven by a significant midfield injury crisis. The club are already without playmaker James Maddison for the rest of the season due to an ACL injury. Their options were further depleted after Rodrigo Bentancur recently picked up a fresh problem.
This context explains Spurs' aggressive pursuit of Gallagher, who offers proven Premier League experience and energy in the engine room. His arrival would provide crucial depth for manager Thomas Frank's squad as they navigate a challenging period.
Manchester United Interest Overcome
The transfer represents a double hijack, as Manchester United had also been tracking the 25-year-old England international. Reports from Spain last month suggested the Old Trafford club were preparing a bid in the region of £26 million for the midfielder.
Gallagher's season at Atletico has been one of mixed opportunities. While he has made 19 appearances in La Liga, the majority have been from the bench, with only four starts. A return to England, where he previously played for Crystal Palace and Chelsea, could bolster his chances of securing a place in the national team setup ahead of the next World Cup.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has previously praised Gallagher's attributes, stating: "He gives us a lot of options offensively, he has the speed to finish things off and he's also fast enough for everything defensively." Tottenham will be hoping to harness those exact qualities as they look to strengthen their push for European qualification.
