Tottenham step up Conor Gallagher transfer interest as two clubs battle for ex-Chelsea star

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Tottenham Hotspur are keen on bringing former Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher back to the Premier League this month.

Spurs are on the lookout for fresh faces in the January transfer window to help Thomas Frank's struggling squad, but it remains uncertain whether the Dane will be at the helm to welcome new arrivals.

Frank's future in north London is hanging by a thread following Spurs' FA Cup third-round defeat to Aston Villa .

In an ironic twist, Villa are also interested in securing the services of Atletico Madrid's 25-year-old midfielder and have already initiated talks for a permanent transfer.

As revealed by Football London , Spurs, who are long-time admirers of Gallagher, have ramped up their interest. They had previously attempted to sign the England international before his move from Stamford Bridge to Spain in 2024.

It's believed that Atletico Madrid are only open to discussions for a permanent deal and have no intention of letting Gallagher leave on loan this month with an option or obligation to buy in the summer.

Villa's proposal to lure Gallagher back to the Premier League has been on the table for a week, while Spurs are thought to have started informal discussions over the weekend.

Other European clubs are interested as well, but they're hesitant to commit to a permanent deal this month and would rather opt for a loan with a view to purchasing the midfielder later.

Gallagher, who has earned 22 caps for England, might be eager for a Premier League return, having found it difficult to secure a regular spot in Diego Simeone's first team.

Despite making 27 appearances across all competitions for Atletico this season, scoring twice and providing one assist, he has yet to fully win over Simeone and is frequently played out of position.

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With the World Cup on the horizon, it's understood that Gallagher is eager to demonstrate his value to Thomas Tuchel in hopes of securing a place in the Three Lions squad.

Before his move to Atletico, Gallagher had a highly successful stint in the Premier League, making a name for himself during an impressive loan spell at Crystal Palace in the 2021-22 season.

He returned to Stamford Bridge to become a crucial part of the first team and even wore the captain's armband for the Blues before being nudged towards the exit in a £33million deal.

However, his time in Spain could be coming to an end, with Spurs and Villa vying for his signature.

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