Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly frontrunners in the race with Manchester United and others to sign former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.
CaughtOffside reports that Spurs are in pole position to sign Gallagher, who Atleti are believed to have made available for sale. The Spanish giants want around £45m for the Englishman who has struggled to impress Diego Simeone.
The Lilywhites are long-term admirers and were poised to swoop for the 25-year-old when a move to the Metropolitano was in doubt. Thomas Frank’s predecessor, Ange Postecoglou, was eager to bring him to North London, and it appears he remains a target despite his struggles in Spain.
Gallagher joined Atleti in a £33.7m deal and started brightly before coming off the boil and losing his starting berth in Simeone’s side. He was brought off at half-time of a shock 2-1 loss to Espanyol in Los Colchoneros’ La Liga opener.
The England international has since been named on the bench, and it appears that the Spaniards are prepared to part ways permanently. He has four years left on his contract but could soon be returning to the Premier League with Spurs a possible destination.
The report claims that Daniel Levy’s transfer chiefs view Gallagher as a “perfect fit” and that they are “preparing a bid in the region of £35m-40m.” He could be keen on a return to the English capital ahead of next summer’s World Cup and to join a Lilywhites side undergoing a rebuild.
Spurs may face competition from United, who are thought to be “monitoring” the situation as they eye a new midfielder for Ruben Amorim. But they also have Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton on their radar as a possible Carlos Baleba alternative.
Palace are also keen on bringing Gallagher, who earns a purported £200,000 per week (via Capology), back to Selhurst Park after he shone on loan and became their 2021-22 Player of the Year. There is also interest from Newcastle United, although the arrival of Jacob Ramsey may place doubts on another midfield acquisition.
Spurs have made some high-profile signings after winning last season’s Europa League, including Xavi Simons, who arrived from RB Leipzig on Friday. A new holding midfielder arrived in the form of Joao Palhinha, who joined on loan from Bayern Munich, but another midfield signing looks to be on the agenda ahead of Monday’s deadline.
