Tottenham are planning to accelerate their pursuit of a dynamic and tenacious box-to-box midfielder this week.
Tottenham Hotspur have been struggling to entertain their fans with an attacking, high-pressing and aggressive brand of football. Thomas Frank has been criticised for failing to set his team up to win matches in the Premier League, and just two wins from their last 11 league fixtures have seen Spurs tumble to 13th in the table.
Several factors have contributed to the north Londoners’ poor form in the league, with the absence of a natural left-winger in the squad standing out as a major issue. Apart from Mohammed Kudus, who is now injured, none of the wingers have stepped up consistently for Tottenham. In addition, Thomas Frank has problems in midfield.
Spurs did not sign a box-to-box midfielder during the past summer transfer window, someone who knows how to dictate the tempo of play as well as screen the backline. Presently, Thomas Frank is relying on Rodrigo Bentancur, Archie Gray and Joao Palhinha to carry out that task. While the recent partnership of Bentancur and Gray have brought some stability to the midfield, they are not known for their box-to-box prowess and incisive passing skills.
Conor Gallagher open to Premier League return amid Tottenham interest
According to recent reports, Tottenham are set to intensify their efforts to sign a new dynamic, box-to-box midfielder this week. Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher has emerged as one of their prime targets.
There has been speculation surrounding the future of Conor Gallagher due to his lack of game time at Atletico Madrid this season. The England international has fallen behind in the midfield pecking order under Diego Simeone, starting just four of 19 La Liga fixtures.
The 25-year-old must receive regular game time ahead of the World Cup in the summer, if he is to stand any chance of making Thomas Tuchel’s squad. Therefore, Gallagher would be open to a return to the Premier League in this transfer window amid interest from both Tottenham and Manchester United.
However, ‘one factor’ – the central midfielder’s salary at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium could become a stumbling block for Spurs to overcome. According to club insider Paul O’Keefe on X, Gallagher is on “immense” wages at Atletico Madrid, which might become an “issue” for Tottenham in their hopes of bringing in the ex-Chelsea man.
Will Gallagher’s wages become a hurdle for Tottenham?
As per Capology, Gallagher is earning over £200,000 per week at Atletico Madrid, and at those wages, he’d become Tottenham’s highest-paid player. This is because the north London club’s current highest earners are Cristian Romero and Xavi Simons, who are both on £195k per week, followed by James Maddison’s £170k per week.
A permanent sale appears tough, but if Los Rojiblancos are open to letting Gallagher leave on loan, Spurs may well have to request the La Liga club to cover a portion of the England international’s wages. Should they not agree to their demands, Tottenham will be forced to cover his entire salary for at least six months.
As the Lilywhites have been working under a tight wage structure, CEO Vinai Venkatesham has to show ambition and become ready to fulfil Atletico’s demands if they intend to land Gallagher on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
