Tottenham Hotspur are facing a testing period under Thomas Frank, with the club struggling to regain form in the Premier League. The Dane has overseen a run of just three wins and four losses across all competitions, including a disappointing exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Aston Villa.
This run of results has seen Spurs slip to 14th in the league table, only marginally better than last season, and frustration is building among supporters.
Despite this, Frank could still be given a lifeline if the club chooses to back him in the transfer market, providing a potential route to revitalise the squad and improve results.
The latest reports indicate that Tottenham are actively exploring a January move for Atlético Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher. The 25-year-old has impressed in LaLiga this season, showing his ability to influence games both offensively and defensively.
While Gallagher is not the only English star linked to Spurs this window, he represents a more attainable target compared to Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, whose £80 million price tag has put him firmly out of reach.
Tottenham are understood to be considering a £26 million deal for Gallagher, which could be structured as a loan with an option to buy in the summer. Aston Villa are also reportedly interested in Gallagher, which may have prompted Spurs to move quickly.
Gallagher’s profile mirrors the type of player Spurs have historically sought from Spain, similar to the club’s signing of Giovani Lo Celso from Real Betis in 2020. Lo Celso was brought in to provide competition for Dele Alli and offer creative spark after Christian Eriksen’s departure, but he struggled to consistently deliver in the Premier League.
Over five years, Lo Celso managed 108 appearances and just 10 goals with eight assists, often being deployed in different midfield roles in an attempt to maximise his impact. Dele Alli, in contrast, had a far more influential presence, scoring 67 goals and assisting 59 in 269 appearances for Spurs, highlighting the high standard set in the Pochettino era.
A potential Gallagher signing would present a similar challenge for Frank, requiring tactical adjustments to accommodate his box-to-box style. This season, Frank has primarily relied on Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur as deep-lying midfield options, with Xavi Simons or other attacking midfielders operating higher up.
Palhinha and Bentancur have faced criticism for a lack of creativity, and Gallagher’s arrival could add the forward-driving option Spurs currently lack. His ability to contribute across the pitch both in possession and defensively offers a chance to evolve the midfield dynamic, making the team more balanced and unpredictable.
Gallagher’s current LaLiga statistics underline his value. Across 19 games, he has completed 92% of his passes, delivered 3.8 progressive passes per 90, and sent 4.1 balls into the final third. Defensively, he has won 3.1 tackles per 90, made 2.2 interceptions, and contributed 1.3 blocks per 90, with a 58% success rate in challenges.
These numbers illustrate his capacity to influence matches in multiple areas, a quality Tottenham have struggled to find in recent years. Journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke has even compared him to a “Poch-era Dele Alli,” a testament to his box-to-box intelligence and work ethic.
The club will need to carefully integrate Gallagher into the midfield, ensuring he is granted the freedom to operate at both ends of the pitch. Without such a role, there is a risk he could emulate Lo Celso, struggling to make the expected impact.
Gallagher thrives when he can transition between defensive duties and attacking contributions, offering energy, creativity, and tactical intelligence. A successful signing could finally restore the type of midfield dynamism Spurs have missed since Alli’s peak years, providing Frank with both a short-term boost and a long-term solution in the engine room.
| Player | Club | Age | Position | Transfer Fee | 2025/26 Stats per 90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conor Gallagher | Atlético Madrid | 25 | Midfielder | £26m | Games: 19, Goals+Assists: 2, Pass Accuracy: 92%, Progressive Passes: 3.8, Passes into Final Third: 4.1, Tackles Won: 3.1, Interceptions: 2.2, Blocks: 1.3, % Tackles Won: 58% |
Gallagher’s potential arrival offers Spurs the chance to reinforce creativity, energy, and defensive solidity in midfield while addressing one of their long-standing tactical gaps.
If integrated correctly, he could be the player to reinvigorate the squad, bridging the gap between the current struggles and the ambition Spurs fans expect in North London.
