Bid imminent: Tottenham lead race to sign £200k/wk star in deadline-busting deal – report
The summer transfer window is always full of surprises, and one of the biggest stories as the deadline approaches involves a potential return to London for Conor Gallagher.
The English midfielder, who only left Chelsea for Spain a year ago, could already be on his way back to the Premier League. According to the latest reports, Tottenham Hotspur are now leading the race for his signature, though they are not without competition.
It seems that Gallagher’s time at Atletico Madrid has not gone as planned. After a promising start following his £33.7 million move, the 25-year-old has found it difficult to hold down a regular spot in Diego Simeone’s team.
His situation became clear right at the beginning of the current La Liga season when he was substituted at half-time during a surprising loss to Espanyol.
Since then, he has mostly been named on the bench, which has led to widespread speculation that the Spanish club is ready to let him go. This has opened the door for several English teams to try and bring him back.
Tottenham’s interest in Gallagher is not something new. The North London club were keen admirers of his even before he made the move to Madrid last summer.
Back then, the previous manager, Ange Postecoglou, was very eager to get the deal done. It appears that the current manager, Thomas Frank, and the club’s decision-makers still see a lot of value in him.
They believe his energy and style of play would be a perfect fit for their squad as they continue to build a team capable of challenging at the top. The word is that Spurs are getting ready to make an official bid, likely in the range of £35 million to £40 million, to test Atletico’s resolve.
For Gallagher, a move could be appealing for a few reasons. A return to London, a city he knows well from his time at Chelsea, would be a comfortable transition.
More importantly, with the World Cup next summer, regular playing time is absolutely essential if he wants to secure his place in the England squad. Joining a project like Tottenham’s, which is clearly on the rise, could be the perfect platform for him to rediscover his best form.
However, Tottenham will need to move quickly and decisively because they are not the only club in the picture.
Manchester United are also said to be monitoring the situation closely as their new manager, Ruben Amorim, looks to add a new midfielder to his team.
Another serious contender is Crystal Palace, where Gallagher enjoyed a fantastic loan spell a few seasons ago. He was even named their Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season, and the club and its fans have very fond memories of his time there.
Newcastle United have also been mentioned as a potential suitor, though their recent signing of Jacob Ramsey might make another move for a midfielder less likely.
Tottenham have already done some excellent business this window, bringing in exciting talents like Xavi Simons and strengthening their midfield with the experienced Joao Palhinha.
Adding a player of Conor Gallagher’s profile, known for his relentless work rate and driving runs from midfield, would be another significant step in their rebuilding process.
It sets up a fascinating end to the transfer window, as Spurs look to win the race for a player they believe can make a real difference.