In a dramatic late twist to the January transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur have hijacked Aston Villa's move for England midfielder Conor Gallagher. Spurs are now poised to secure the signature of the 25-year-old from Atletico Madrid for a fee reported to be around €40 million (£34.7m).
Medical Imminent as Spurs Steal March on Villa
According to Sky Sports News, Gallagher is expected to fly to London imminently to complete a medical with Tottenham. This move will mark a swift return to the English capital for the player, who left Chelsea for Spain in the summer of 2024. The deal, believed to be a permanent transfer, will see Gallagher commit to a five-and-a-half-year contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with personal terms not considered a hurdle.
The development comes as a significant blow to Aston Villa, who were until recently confident of securing the player. Just a day prior, on 12 January, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano indicated that Villa were on the verge of a club-to-club agreement with Atletico for a loan with an obligatory purchase option. TalkSport's Alex Crook added that Gallagher was open to the move to Villa Park to boost his England prospects ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Why Gallagher Chose Tottenham Over Aston Villa
Three pivotal factors are understood to have influenced Gallagher's decision to opt for North London over the West Midlands. Firstly, family ties played a crucial role. Born in Epsom, Surrey, the midfielder was keen to move closer to his family base in the area.
Secondly, Tottenham are reported to have offered Gallagher greater assurances of regular first-team football, something he has found limited under Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid. This guarantee was amplified by a key injury in Thomas Frank's squad; the long-term absence of Rodrigo Bentancur created a clear need in Tottenham's midfield.
Finally, the structure of the deal proved decisive. While Villa pursued a loan with an option, Tottenham's willingness to pay a significant up-front fee for a permanent transfer was more appealing to Atletico Madrid, giving Spurs a decisive advantage in negotiations.
Consequences for Both Clubs
For Tottenham, currently underperforming in the Premier League and out of domestic cups, the signing of a proven English midfielder with 136 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, West Brom, and Crystal Palace represents a major boost. He is seen as a catalyst to propel their league and European ambitions.
For Aston Villa, the failed pursuit leaves manager Unai Emery with a deepening midfield crisis. The club is already contending with injuries to key players like Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana, and Ross Barkley. Despite sitting third in the table and progressing in the FA Cup and Europa League, Emery will now be forced to swiftly identify alternative central midfield targets before the window closes in February.
