Tottenham decide on another central midfielder they want to sign after Conor Gallagher

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be closing in on the signing of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid, and the England international might not be the only midfielder arriving at the club in 2026. According to The Times, Spurs have already identified another central midfield target as they continue reshaping Thomas Frank’s squad.

Earlier this week, Tottenham made a dramatic late move, swooping in to beat Aston Villa to Gallagher’s signature. A fee in the region of £35 million has reportedly been agreed with Atletico Madrid, paving the way for the 25-year-old to return to the Premier League just a year and a half after he made the switch to La Liga.

Gallagher’s capture represents a significant moment for the north London side, particularly given their current injury situation. Tottenham recently learned that Rodrigo Bentancur faces around three months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a hamstring issue. Lucas Bergvall is also battling fitness concerns, while Pape Matar Sarr is away with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations. These setbacks have left Spurs short of fully fit midfielders, with Joao Palhinha and Archie Gray currently the only players at 100% availability.

Because of this shortage in midfield, Gallagher may be thrown straight into action. If registration is completed in time, he could make his debut this week against West Ham United, with Thomas Frank eager to strengthen his starting XI as soon as possible.

The Times also reports that Frank played a crucial role in convincing Gallagher to opt for Spurs over Aston Villa, promising him more regular football and a central role in Tottenham’s plans. Gallagher has long been admired by Spurs, and his playing style appears an ideal fit for Frank’s energetic, front-foot approach.

Despite limited minutes at Atletico Madrid in recent weeks, the England international is expected to add immediate quality. He brings leadership, relentless work rate, maturity, and the ability to contribute with goals and assists – qualities Tottenham have lacked during their current run of four games without a victory. His presence in midfield should inject fresh intensity and competition into a department that has been stretched to its limits.

However, even with Gallagher’s arrival, Tottenham believe there is still a crucial profile missing in their squad. The club are reportedly continuing their search for what has been described as a “midfield connector” in 2026. This refers to a deep-lying creative playmaker who can dictate tempo, progress the ball from defence to attack, and complement the more destructive, ball-winning qualities of Palhinha.

The recruitment team are now weighing up whether that signing can realistically be completed before the February 2 deadline or whether it is more sensible to wait until the summer to ensure they secure the ideal target. Some of the most highly rated players in that role, including Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, are not expected to be available until the end of the season, making a January move complicated.

If Tottenham do eventually land this additional midfielder after Gallagher, it will raise intriguing questions about how Thomas Frank shapes his midfield going forward. With Xavi Simons and James Maddison also capable of operating in advanced central roles, competition for places could become fierce, offering Frank tactical flexibility and depth he has lacked for much of the campaign.

Tottenham closing in on second January signing

Gallagher is not the only imminent arrival. Spurs are also close to wrapping up a deal for highly rated Brazilian left-back Souza. The teenager is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days after Tottenham reached an agreement with Santos to bring the 19-year-old to England.

While Souza is viewed as one for the future, his signing underlines Tottenham’s commitment to blending promising young talent with experienced first-team reinforcements. And with the club still exploring the addition of a new forward as well, it appears that what was expected to be a relatively calm January transfer window could instead become one of the busiest in recent Spurs history.

In short, Tottenham are not just reacting to injuries – they are actively reshaping the core of their squad. Gallagher’s arrival may be the headline, but it could prove only the beginning of a wider midfield rebuild that continues across 2026.