Tottenham ‘Make Contact’ to Sign £200,000-a-Week La Liga Star
Tottenham Hotspur have stepped up their search for midfield reinforcements this summer, with a fresh approach made for England international Conor Gallagher, currently playing for Atletico Madrid. According to a report by TBR Football, Spurs have reached out to intermediaries to explore the feasibility of bringing the former Chelsea man back to the Premier League.
The North London club have made no secret of their desire to bolster the midfield department under new head coach Thomas Frank. One of their primary targets, Morgan Gibbs-White, remains in limbo due to an ongoing legal dispute with Nottingham Forest regarding the activation of his £60 million release clause. Meanwhile, there is growing speculation that Yves Bissouma could be on his way out of the club this summer, further emphasizing the need for quality additions in the middle of the park.
Amid this uncertainty, Spurs have turned their attention back to a familiar name. Conor Gallagher, once a long-standing transfer target during his time at Chelsea, is now reportedly being monitored once again by the Premier League outfit. After making the bold move to Atletico Madrid last summer, Gallagher has adapted impressively to life in Spain under the stewardship of Diego Simeone. His work rate, versatility, and tenacity in midfield earned him plaudits throughout the campaign and made him a key asset for the La Liga side.
Despite earning an estimated £200,000 per week and enjoying his football in Spain, Gallagher is not guaranteed to be a regular starter for Atletico heading into the new season. This situation has sparked renewed interest from Tottenham, who are hoping that the promise of a central role, combined with the opportunity to play consistently ahead of the 2026 World Cup, could tempt the 25-year-old into a return to English football.
Sources close to the player suggest that while Gallagher is currently settled in Madrid and has relished working with the demanding Simeone, he is not completely closed off to a move. Football journalist Graeme Bailey provided insight into the player’s mindset, stating:
> “Gallagher at this point is happy at Madrid, very happy. He has thoroughly enjoyed working with Simeone and feels he made the right choice in moving. He does have the England situation in the back of his mind, I am told, and feelers have been put out by intermediaries to check on his potential options, but as said, ideally he stays put.”
Gallagher is clearly on Tottenham’s radar once more, but Spurs are also casting a wide net. Another midfield option being actively considered is Portuguese international Joao Palhinha, who could be available for a cut-price fee. The former Fulham enforcer joined Bayern Munich last summer but struggled to secure a regular spot in the starting XI. Bayern are reportedly open to offloading the 29-year-old for a fee in the region of £26 million, with Tottenham having already held initial discussions over a potential deal. However, no formal bid has been submitted as of yet.
Palhinha’s profile fits the mould of a Premier League-proven defensive midfielder, something Tottenham have lacked consistency in since the decline of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s influence at the club. While Gallagher offers a more box-to-box, energetic presence in midfield, Palhinha would bring physicality, positional discipline, and tackling prowess—making the pair complementary targets depending on what Frank and the Spurs board ultimately prioritize.
With the midfield rebuild clearly one of the cornerstones of Tottenham’s summer strategy, the club appears determined to land a significant addition before the window closes. Whether that player is Gallagher, Palhinha, or potentially both, will depend on a mix of player decisions, club negotiations, and how quickly Spurs can resolve the Gibbs-White saga.
As the summer unfolds, Tottenham fans can expect continued movement in the market, with the club’s recruitment team working to ensure that the squad is ready not just for the demands of Premier League football but also to push for deeper runs in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and a hopeful Champions League qualification bid.