Paratici wants to submit £52m bid to sign the new Mousa Dembele for Spurs
Mousa Dembélé remains one of the great enigmas in Tottenham Hotspur’s modern history — a footballer whose brilliance was often better appreciated by teammates and opponents than by the wider Premier League audience.
During his seven-year spell in North London, the Belgian midfield maestro made 249 appearances and consistently dazzled with a unique blend of physical dominance and balletic footwork. Despite possessing the frame of a traditional powerhouse midfielder, Dembélé glided across the pitch with elegance, shrugging off challengers and weaving through pressure as though gravity didn’t quite apply to him.
Former Spurs players have repeatedly spoken about his remarkable ability to control the tempo of games, shield possession, and beat opponents in tight spaces with ease. Yet since his departure to Guangzhou R&F in 2019, Tottenham have never truly replaced that rare combination of finesse and force in midfield. The team has lacked a player who can both dominate duels and progress the ball with the same effortless confidence — a missing piece that may finally be addressed in the upcoming January window.
With the winter transfer window fast approaching, manager Thomas Frank and the recruitment team are working through a list of midfield options capable of elevating Spurs in the second half of the season. Over the last week, the club has been linked heavily with Brighton & Hove Albion’s rising star Carlos Baleba.
The 21-year-old Cameroonian was strongly courted by Manchester United in the summer, but their interest cooled quickly when Brighton slapped a staggering £100m valuation on him. That price tag remains a major stumbling block for Tottenham as well. While Frank is a fan of Baleba’s dynamism and potential, the club is unwilling to meet such a hefty fee in January unless the figure comes down significantly.
Baleba, though, is not the only name on the shortlist. Reports in Spain suggest that Conor Gallagher, currently impressing at Atlético Madrid, has re-emerged as a major Tottenham target. The English midfielder could be available for around €60m (£52m) — a number that former Spurs director of football Fabio Paratici is reportedly keen to sanction.
According to the same Spanish outlet, Gallagher would be open to a Premier League return if the two clubs reach an agreement. Atlético, however, will only green-light the move if Tottenham meet the full asking price.
How Gallagher Measures Up to Dembélé — and Why Spurs Are Interested
Tottenham’s rivalries across the Premier League have produced countless memorable battles, but few clubs have consistently tormented Spurs like Chelsea. For years, Frank Lampard was the embodiment of that frustration — a midfielder who always seemed to deliver when the derby rolled around. Lampard faced Spurs 41 times in his career, winning 22 of those meetings and scoring 10 goals, making him one of the most prolific midfield scorers against them.
Finding a player with Dembélé’s press-resistance and Lampard’s attacking instincts seems almost impossible — yet Gallagher’s form in Spain suggests he is beginning to blend elements of both.
Since joining Atlético, Gallagher has become a central figure in Diego Simeone’s midfield. His 2025/26 LaLiga numbers highlight an elite two-way profile:
Defensive Output
2.5 tackles won per 90
1.6 interceptions per 90
These figures underline the kind of ball-winning presence Spurs lost when Dembélé departed. Gallagher’s tenacity, energy, and willingness to cover ground mirror the Belgian’s ability to break up play and dominate physical battles.
Ball-Carrying and Progression
2.7 progressive carries per 90
0.9 carries into the opposition box per 90
These are the kind of forward-driving metrics that made Dembélé so influential at White Hart Lane — effortlessly transitioning defence into attack with surges through midfield.
Passing and Creativity
88% pass completion rate
3.9 passes into the final third per 90
England U21 manager Lee Carsley once described Gallagher as “like Lampard” due to his confidence in possession and ability to link midfield to attack. Gallagher may not be a pure goalscorer like Lampard, but his one goal this season, combined with 1.4 shots per 90, shows he poses a consistent attacking threat.
Is Gallagher Worth the £52m Investment?
On the surface, £52m is a substantial fee for a player who only recently left the Premier League. But Gallagher’s statistics in Spain highlight a midfielder who contributes across every phase of play — pressing, tackling, carrying, passing, and arriving late in the box.
If Tottenham can secure him at the quoted price, they would be adding a player who embodies the qualities of two Premier League greats:
Dembélé’s power and ball progression
Lampard’s intelligence and forward influence
For a Spurs squad desperate for midfield balance and leadership, Gallagher could be the perfect solution. Should he continue to evolve at his current rate, his arrival could transform Thomas Frank’s side and finally provide the dominant presence in midfield that Tottenham have lacked for nearly six years.