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Madrid ace set to snub Tottenham in January; ready to join PL rivals

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Aaryan Choksi | Last updated Nov 15, 2025 12:18 PM ET

Tottenham Hotspur target Conor Gallagher keen to quit Atletico Madrid for Manchester United

Tottenham need more energy in midfield as they look to close the gap on their rivals in the second half of the campaign. The Lilywhites also require more goals from their midfielders this season, but that has not materialised, largely because Thomas Frank has relied on two defensive-minded players in the middle of the park for most matches. The lack of creativity in central areas has raised alarm bells among fans throughout the campaign.

Spurs currently sit fifth in the Premier League, just four points behind second-place Manchester City. In truth, they are in a strong league position and have a genuine chance of competing for European spots if they can turn their home form around in the coming weeks. For that to happen, Thomas Frank will need to be bold with his selections and adopt a more attack-minded approach going forward.

The Danish manager cannot continue pairing Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur together as the season progresses. Bentancur struggles to retain possession and dictate the tempo against low blocks. He is far more effective in transition, where the Lilywhites naturally have less of the ball compared to their opponents. This makes it essential for Spurs to sign a more progressive midfielder in the upcoming transfer window.

Tottenham face an uphill task of landing Atletico Madrid star Conor Gallagher

Recent reports indicate that Tottenham are pushing hard to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher in January. The England international has slipped down the pecking order under Diego Simeone, with limited minutes for the La Liga side this season. This has caught Tottenham’s attention, and Thomas Frank is keen, especially as Gallagher wants to return to the Premier League to keep his World Cup hopes alive.

However, signing the 25-year-old may not be straightforward, as Manchester United are also interested. Reliable journalist Graeme Bailey has now provided an update on United’s stance in the race for Gallagher. Speaking to United in Focus, Bailey said,

“Gallagher has become increasingly frustrated at Atletico. He is settled in the Spanish capital but he firmly believes he could and should be in contention for England. That is not going to happen without playing. Gallagher is aware of the interest and I’m told that United is an appealing option to him.”

Gallagher is clearly seeking a move in January to secure regular playing time and strengthen his chances of making Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad. But what may concern Spurs is that the midfielder favours a move to Manchester United if he returns to England. The Red Devils see him as a replacement for Kobbie Mainoo, and the opportunity to join a historic club like United is difficult to turn down.

This is a clear indication that the Lilywhites should now look at other alternatives instead. Spurs are also interested in signing Napoli star Scott McTominay as they look to bring in reinforcements for the #8 role. Luring the Scotland international from Naples might be a tough task, but if the North Londoners play their cards right, they might just be able to secure his services at the right price.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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