Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on the signing of England midfielder Conor Gallagher, with the north London club set to beat Aston Villa to his signature after agreeing to meet Atletico Madrid’s £35 million valuation.

Spurs have moved decisively in recent days to take control of the race for the 25-year-old, who only joined Atletico from Chelsea in the summer of 2024 for a fee of around £33m. While Villa had been considered frontrunners, Tottenham’s willingness to complete a straight permanent transfer has put them firmly in pole position.

Aston Villa had been exploring a loan deal with an option to buy, but Atletico were clear in their preference for a full sale. Spurs’ readiness to match those demands has allowed them to surge ahead in negotiations.

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Gallagher Keen on Premier League Return

Although personal terms are yet to be finalised, sources close to the deal indicate that this is expected to be a formality, with Gallagher enthusiastic about a return to the Premier League.

The midfielder is understood to be keen to resolve his future quickly and would like the move completed before Atletico Madrid’s Copa del Rey tie against Deportivo on Tuesday night.

A return to England is seen as a crucial step for Gallagher as he looks to revive his international career. Since the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as England head coach, Gallagher has struggled for opportunities, making just one appearance under the German manager—playing 59 minutes in a 3-1 friendly defeat to Senegal.

With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Gallagher believes regular Premier League football could significantly improve his chances of forcing his way back into England contention.

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Spurs Midfield Reinforcements a Priority

Tottenham’s pursuit of Gallagher has intensified following a major injury blow. Rodrigo Bentancur has been ruled out for at least three months after suffering a hamstring injury during Spurs’ Premier League defeat to Bournemouth last week.

The Uruguay international is expected to undergo surgery, leaving manager Ange Postecoglou short of midfield options at a crucial point in the season.

Gallagher’s energy, pressing ability and tactical flexibility make him an attractive option for Spurs, particularly given his experience at the top level with Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and the England national team.

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Villa Miss Out as Spurs Act Decisively

For Aston Villa, missing out on Gallagher would be a disappointment, especially after weeks of groundwork. However, their reluctance to commit immediately to Atletico’s asking price has ultimately allowed Tottenham to seize the initiative.

Spurs’ move underlines their intent to strengthen the squad during the January transfer window and maintain momentum in both domestic and European competitions.

If completed, the deal would mark Gallagher’s return to the Premier League after just one season in Spain and represent a significant addition to Tottenham’s midfield depth.