Tottenham open talks to sign £200,000-a-week star for Thomas Frank

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly taken the first significant steps toward a potential move for former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, with football.london claiming that initial discussions have now begun. The north London club are believed to be keen on adding fresh energy and quality to their midfield this month and are ready to go head-to-head with Aston Villa, who are also strong contenders for the England international’s signature.

Aston Villa are understood to have already tabled a formal bid to bring Gallagher back to the Premier League last weekend. Tottenham, meanwhile, are said to have opened informal lines of communication over the same period, sounding out both the player’s camp and Atletico Madrid regarding the terms of a possible deal.

Atletico Madrid are thought to prefer a permanent transfer rather than a loan move, and will only seriously consider offers that meet their valuation. Gallagher joined the La Liga side from Chelsea in the summer of 2024, but his situation in Spain has not entirely gone as planned. Although he arrived with high expectations, his role under Diego Simeone has gradually diminished this season, prompting speculation over his future.

According to football.london, Tottenham have admired Gallagher for quite some time and even explored signing him before his switch to Atletico 18 months ago. Interest in the 25-year-old is not limited to English clubs either, with several teams across Europe monitoring his situation. Manchester United also reportedly assessed a late move during the closing stages of the recent summer transfer window, highlighting just how highly rated he remains.

Gallagher, who earns around £200,000 per week, is believed to be open to a move away from Madrid in January. Limited game time has been a key factor in this stance, as he has struggled to establish himself as an undisputed starter under Simeone during the 2025/26 campaign. So far this season, he has managed just nine starts in all competitions, with only four of those coming in La Liga, where Atletico currently occupy fourth place after 19 matches.

Since arriving from Chelsea in 2024, Gallagher has made 77 appearances for the Spanish side, contributing seven goals and seven assists. While those numbers show he has had positive moments in Madrid, a lack of consistent starts has led to growing frustration and renewed interest from Premier League clubs who believe they can unlock his best form.

For Tottenham, strengthening central midfield is believed to be one of the key priorities in the current transfer window. The club are also assessing options at left-back and on the left wing, and could look to recruit a new centre-back if departures occur later in the month. Thomas Frank and the Spurs hierarchy are eager to refresh the squad after an inconsistent run of results.

Their first January signing appears close, with highly-rated Santos left-back Souza expected to arrive in a deal worth around £15 million. The Brazilian youngster is due to travel to London to undergo a medical, and a five-year contract is already believed to be agreed in principle. His arrival would help cover ongoing injury issues in defence.

Tottenham’s current left-back situation has been complicated by injury problems for Destiny Udogie, who has been limited to just six Premier League starts this season. Djed Spence has been required to fill in on the left during Udogie’s absence, with the Italian international having been sidelined since the beginning of December.

The pressure on Spurs has intensified recently after their FA Cup exit, suffering a 2–1 defeat to Aston Villa. Frank’s side have now managed just one win in their last seven matches in all competitions, increasing the urgency to strengthen the squad and inject fresh momentum into their season.

As the window continues, Tottenham’s pursuit of Conor Gallagher is expected to be one of the major stories to watch. A deal would not only reunite the England international with the Premier League but could also provide Spurs with the dynamic, relentless midfield presence they have been lacking in recent weeks.