Tottenham hijack the deal as Gallagher chooses Spurs
Conor Gallagher to Tottenham is done. The England midfielder has informed Atlético Madrid of his decision to join Spurs, with Tottenham set to pay a €40m fee in a permanent deal to beat Aston Villa.
The twist is that Aston Villa had already agreed a deal with Atlético earlier today, but they have now stepped out of the race because Gallagher didn’t give the final green light on the player side.
Why Spurs won: permanent money, timing, and a clear pathway
Villa’s approach was built around a loan with an option to buy, while Atlético’s preference has consistently been a permanent sale or at least a structure that guarantees the fee via an obligation. Tottenham arriving with a straight permanent package at around €40m made the difference in both speed and certainty.
The wider context also helped Spurs: they accelerated their midfield plans following injury concerns, and Gallagher’s desire to return to the Premier League created the opening.
Why Gallagher was open to a move
Gallagher joined Atlético Madrid from Chelsea last summer in a deal reported at around €42m, but his role this season has been more limited than expected, including only four starts in La Liga so far.
A return to the Premier League would put him back into a familiar rhythm and could strengthen his England chances as major tournaments approach.
The agency angle – Elite Management Agency behind Gallagher
Gallagher is represented by Elite Management Agency, a UK-based football representation firm founded in 2011 that positions itself around contract expertise, hands-on negotiations and long-term career planning.
The agency’s public roster includes Gallagher alongside other top-league players - Dan Burn or Joël Veltman, underlining its footprint across Premier League and European markets.
