‘Now…’ – Fabrizio Romano just revealed Tottenham transfer move after major setback
Tottenham Hotspur are weighing up a move for a new central midfielder in the January transfer window following the injury suffered by Rodrigo Bentancur, according to GIVEMESPORT’s senior correspondent Fabrizio Romano.
The Uruguay international sustained a serious hamstring problem during Spurs’ dramatic 3–2 defeat to Bournemouth last week. He is now expected to undergo surgery and faces an extended spell on the sidelines, with early estimates suggesting he will be out of action for around three months. The setback comes at a difficult time for Tottenham, who are already navigating a congested fixture schedule across multiple competitions.
Because of Bentancur’s absence, Tottenham are increasingly likely to dip back into the transfer market in search of midfield reinforcements before the window closes. The club had already been active on the defensive front and are anticipated to complete the signing of Santos left-back Souza as their first acquisition of the winter. An agreement worth roughly £15 million is believed to be in place for the Brazilian defender, pending the successful completion of his medical and final paperwork.
Tottenham step up search for midfield cover
Romano reported via X that Tottenham will now “explore opportunities” in midfield after Bentancur’s injury blow. The former Juventus man has been one of Thomas Frank’s most reliable performers this season, starting 17 of Spurs’ 21 Premier League matches and contributing two goals and assists despite the side’s uneven form. His energy, ball-winning ability and press resistance have made him a key figure in the middle of the park.
Bentancur was forced off late in the match against Bournemouth and replaced by youngster Archie Gray, who also deputised in the FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday. Although Gray has shown maturity beyond his years, Tottenham are reluctant to overburden the 19-year-old in such a physically demanding role for the rest of the campaign.
Injury crisis deepens at Spurs
The Uruguayan’s absence only adds to an already lengthy injury list in North London. Spurs have been without Dejan Kulusevski since April, while creative midfielder James Maddison is expected to miss the remainder of the campaign with an ACL injury. There have also been recent absences for Lucas Bergvall, Mohammed Kudus and Destiny Udogie, further stretching Thomas Frank’s squad options.
To make matters worse, Richarlison was withdrawn during the clash with Aston Villa after suffering a hamstring problem of his own, leaving Tottenham light both in attack and midfield. The club’s depth has also been affected by international commitments, with Pape Matar Sarr away representing Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Gallagher emerges as potential solution
In light of these issues, Tottenham are believed to be assessing a number of midfield targets, with Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher emerging as one of the most realistic options. Reports suggest Spurs have already opened talks over a possible deal for the former Chelsea star and are ready to go head-to-head with Aston Villa in the battle for his services this month.
Gallagher is understood to be open to leaving Atletico due to limited game time under Diego Simeone. Villa are said to have already tabled a proposal, while Tottenham see him as a player capable of slotting straight into Frank’s high-energy system. Atletico, however, are only expected to consider a permanent transfer rather than a loan, and the England international was also on Manchester United’s radar during the final days of the summer window.
Short-term outlook for Tottenham’s midfield
With Bentancur and Bergvall out injured and Sarr away on international duty, Tottenham’s midfield resources have been thinned considerably. For the upcoming fixtures, Frank may be forced to lean heavily on a partnership of Archie Gray and João Palhinha, with Yves Bissouma also pushing for involvement following his own return from AFCON.
The coming weeks are therefore likely to be decisive. Tottenham must balance their immediate need for reinforcements with longer-term squad planning, but Bentancur’s setback has unquestionably accelerated their activity in the market. Whether they manage to secure Gallagher or turn to alternative targets, midfield recruitment has now become one of the club’s top priorities for the remainder of the January window.