Tottenham Hotspur are edging closer to completing the signing of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid, but the England international may not be the only midfield addition heading to north London in 2026. The Times reports that Spurs have already lined up another central midfield target as they continue to remodel Thomas Frank’s squad.
Earlier in the week, Tottenham made a late and decisive move to hijack Aston Villa’s pursuit of Gallagher. A deal worth around £35 million has reportedly been agreed with Atletico, opening the door for the 25-year-old to return to the Premier League less than two years after leaving England for Spain.
Securing Gallagher would be a timely boost for Spurs, who are currently dealing with a growing injury crisis in midfield. Rodrigo Bentancur is expected to be sidelined for roughly three months following hamstring surgery, Lucas Bergvall is managing fitness issues, and Pape Matar Sarr is away on international duty with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations. As a result, Joao Palhinha and Archie Gray are the only midfielders fully fit at present.
With options limited, Gallagher could be handed an immediate role. If paperwork is completed swiftly, he may feature as soon as this week against West Ham United, with Frank keen to reinforce his starting lineup without delay. The report adds that Frank was instrumental in persuading Gallagher to choose Spurs over Villa, offering him regular minutes and a key position in the team’s structure. Long admired by Tottenham, Gallagher’s high-energy style is seen as a natural match for Frank’s aggressive, front-foot philosophy.
Although his game time at Atletico has been restricted in recent weeks, Gallagher is expected to make an instant impact. His leadership, tireless work ethic, experience, and goal contribution could provide a much-needed spark, especially as Spurs look to end a four-match winless run. His arrival should also raise the level of competition in a midfield that has been stretched thin.
Even so, Tottenham reportedly feel another important piece is still missing. The club are said to be searching for a “midfield connector” in 2026 — a deeper-lying playmaker capable of controlling the tempo, progressing the ball, and balancing Palhinha’s defensive strengths.
Recruitment staff are now considering whether such a deal can be completed before the February 2 deadline or delayed until the summer to secure the right profile. Highly rated options like Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton are not expected to be available mid-season, complicating any January move.
Should Spurs add another midfielder alongside Gallagher, it would present Thomas Frank with intriguing tactical choices. With Xavi Simons and James Maddison also able to operate in advanced central roles, competition could intensify, giving the manager far greater depth and flexibility than he has enjoyed for much of the campaign.
Tottenham closing in on second January signing
Gallagher may not be the only arrival on the horizon. Spurs are also close to finalising a deal for highly rated Brazilian left-back Souza. The 19-year-old is expected to undergo a medical soon after Tottenham reached an agreement with Santos.
While Souza is seen as a long-term project, his signing highlights the club’s strategy of combining young prospects with established first-team reinforcements. With Tottenham also exploring the possibility of adding a new forward, a window once expected to be quiet is shaping up to be one of their most active in recent years.
Ultimately, Spurs are doing more than simply reacting to injuries. Gallagher’s impending arrival could be the headline move, but it may mark the first step in a broader midfield overhaul that continues well into 2026.
