Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on a deal to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher, with the Premier League club moving decisively to beat Aston Villa to the England international’s signature.

According to multiple reports in England and Spain, Spurs have indicated they are ready to meet Atletico’s full valuation of around £35 million for the 25-year-old, a fee that is expected to secure a permanent transfer once final details are agreed. Negotiations over personal terms are understood to be at an advanced stage, with all parties increasingly confident that an agreement will be reached.

The move marks a significant turning point in a transfer race that had, until recently, appeared to be led by Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s side had identified Gallagher as a key target to bolster their midfield options and were regarded as frontrunners earlier in the window. However, Villa’s preference for an initial loan with an option to buy did not align with Atletico’s stance.

Atletico have been clear throughout the summer that they would only entertain a permanent sale. The Spanish club, managing both financial pressures and a squad rebuild, viewed Gallagher as one of their most marketable assets. Tottenham’s willingness to commit to an outright purchase, rather than a staggered or conditional deal, has therefore put them firmly in pole position.

For Gallagher, the proposed move offers a timely route back to the Premier League after a challenging but educational spell in La Liga. The midfielder joined Atletico from Chelsea last season, seeking regular top-level football and the chance to develop under Diego Simeone. While he impressed with his work rate and tactical discipline, he did not always command a guaranteed starting place, particularly in the second half of the campaign.

Gallagher is understood to be keen for his future to be resolved swiftly. He would like the transfer completed before Atletico’s upcoming Copa del Rey tie against Deportivo, allowing him to avoid a drawn-out saga and focus fully on integrating into his new club ahead of the season. Sources close to the player suggest that the prospect of working under Ange Postecoglou, and the promise of a clearly defined role in Tottenham’s midfield, have been central to his decision.

Postecoglou has made no secret of his desire to add energy, pressing intensity and versatility to the centre of the pitch. Tottenham’s midfield has been hit by injuries, most notably to Rodrigo Bentancur, who is expected to be sidelined for at least three months. That absence has left Spurs short of dynamic, box-to-box options, and Gallagher is seen as an ideal fit for the Australian’s high-tempo, front-foot style.

Gallagher’s game is built on relentless running, aggressive pressing and an ability to shuttle between both penalty areas. During his time at Chelsea and on loan at Crystal Palace, he earned a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most industrious midfielders, combining defensive work with late surges into the box and an eye for goal. Those attributes align closely with Postecoglou’s demands, which place a premium on midfielders who can both initiate the press and support attacks.

From Tottenham’s perspective, the move also reflects a broader strategy of targeting players in their mid-twenties who already have Premier League experience but still possess room for development. Gallagher, with his background at Chelsea, his exposure to European competition and his season in Spain, fits that profile neatly. Spurs believe he can adapt quickly to the league’s intensity while bringing a more mature understanding of different tactical systems.

The transfer could also have important implications for Gallagher’s international ambitions. Once regarded as one of the brightest young midfielders in England, he has struggled to establish himself as a regular under national team manager Thomas Tuchel. Gallagher has featured only once during Tuchel’s tenure so far, playing 59 minutes in a 3–1 friendly defeat to Senegal. With competition for places in England’s midfield fierce, consistent club performances are essential.

A return to the Premier League, and the visibility that comes with playing for a high-profile club like Tottenham, is seen by those around Gallagher as a crucial step in reviving his England prospects. Regular starts in a demanding system could showcase his pressing ability, stamina and tactical intelligence, qualities that might appeal to Tuchel as he refines his squad ahead of the World Cup.

For Atletico, the sale would represent both a sporting and financial decision. While Gallagher has been a useful squad member, Simeone has been reshaping his midfield, and the funds generated by the transfer are expected to be reinvested in areas of greater priority. Atletico’s willingness to sanction the move underlines the reality that, despite Gallagher’s qualities, he was not viewed as indispensable to their long-term plans.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are attempting to build on a period of relative stability under Postecoglou. After years of managerial churn and inconsistent recruitment, the club’s hierarchy has sought to align transfer policy more closely with the head coach’s philosophy. The pursuit of Gallagher, a player whose profile appears tailor-made for Postecoglou’s approach, is a clear example of that shift.

If the deal is completed as expected, Gallagher would join a midfield group that includes Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and the injured Bentancur. His arrival would give Postecoglou greater flexibility to rotate, adjust formations and maintain intensity across domestic and European competitions. It could also prompt further movement in the market, with at least one existing midfielder potentially made available for transfer to balance the squad.