Tottenham have completed the £35m signing of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid, boosting Thomas Frank’s midfield options amid an injury crisis.
Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid for £35m. The England midfielder returns to the Premier League after 17 months in Spain. He has signed a long-term contract running until 2031. Spurs beat Aston Villa to secure the 25-year-old’s signature.
Gallagher becomes Thomas Frank’s first major January addition. The move addresses an urgent midfield shortage at the club. Rodrigo Bentancur is sidelined for at least three months after hamstring surgery. Spurs moved quickly to reinforce ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.
“I’m so happy and excited to be here,” Gallagher said after completing the move. He described Tottenham as an amazing club with great fans. Gallagher added that he wants to create special moments in north London. His return also keeps him firmly in England selection contention.
Tottenham’s need for midfield reinforcements has been growing. Bentancur’s injury added to long term absences for James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski. Mohammed Kudus is also unavailable until after the March international break. Frank has often been forced to reshuffle his midfield options.
Spurs are currently 14th in the Premier League. They have 27 points from 21 matches, six points off fifth-placed Brentford. Only one win has come from their last six league games. The Gallagher signing is seen as a statement of backing for Frank during a difficult period.
Sporting director Fabio Paratici also played a key role in closing the deal quickly. Tottenham have previously been criticised for slow negotiations. This time, they acted decisively to avoid a prolonged bidding battle. Aston Villa had explored a loan move before Spurs stepped in.
Gallagher brings extensive top-level experience. He made 136 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, Crystal Palace and West Brom. Before joining Atletico, he was a regular in Chelsea’s midfield. His work rate and pressing ability were hallmarks of his game.
At Atletico Madrid, Gallagher made 77 appearances across all competitions. He scored seven goals and provided seven assists. However, his role diminished this season due to increased competition. He started only four La Liga matches during the first half of the campaign.
Despite limited starts, Gallagher remained a trusted squad option. Diego Simeone valued his intensity and discipline. Atletico were willing sellers given their midfield depth. Recouping a fee close to what they paid Chelsea suited all parties.
Frank highlighted Gallagher’s leadership and character. The midfielder has captained sides at club level. His energy and pressing fit well with Spurs’ high intensity approach. He is expected to slot straight into the starting lineup.
Gallagher also offers goal threat from midfield. He scored seven goals in the Premier League during the 2022-23 season. His late runs into the box provide a different option. Spurs have lacked that presence during recent weeks.
Crucially, Gallagher counts as a homegrown player. That helps Tottenham with squad registration rules. His Premier League familiarity should also ease his transition. Frank will hope for an immediate impact.
Gallagher could make his debut this weekend. Tottenham host West Ham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday. The match kicks off at 15:00 GMT. Spurs are looking to halt a run of inconsistent form.
With Champions League qualification still within reach, points are vital. Gallagher’s arrival adds depth and urgency to Spurs’ midfield. Much will depend on how quickly he settles, including his dream of being included in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. For now, Tottenham fans have renewed reason for optimism as the second half the season progresses.
