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Before the January transfer window closes, Tottenham Hotspur is reportedly getting ready to put Chelsea‘s resolve to the test by making a last-minute move for Conor Gallagher.
As the 23-year-old nears the end of his Stamford Bridge contract—which now has just under 18 months remaining—his future is still unclear.
Gallagher has been the Argentine manager’s go-to player since Mauricio Pochettino took over in West London. Gallagher has made 28 appearances for the Blues this season, setting up six goals.
In the 2023–24 season, Gallagher has frequently worn the captain’s armband for Chelsea because of Reece James’s ongoing injury issues. He has led the side in each of their past five Premier League games, four of which have resulted in victories.
Gallagher’s contract position is unaltered, so if the Blues don’t come to an agreement soon or decide to split ways with the England international, they run the possibility of losing him on a free transfer in 2025.
Gallagher’s boyhood club, Tottenham, were thought to be the top contenders to lure him away, but a recent rumour stated that the Lilywhites had given up on a January deal because of Chelsea’s unreasonable financial demands.
Football Insider claims that despite losing to West Ham United in the competition to take Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips on loan, Spurs could still attempt their luck with an official bid before the deadline on February 1.
Spurs baulked at City’s £6 million demand to send Phillips out on loan, even though Ange Postecoglou thinks both Phillips and Gallagher would be strong fits for his system. They also declined to pay the majority of Phillips’ salary.
The North London giants may thus start negotiations again for Gallagher, but Chelsea is reportedly seeking a whopping £80 million to allow him to depart in the middle of the season, a demand that Tottenham would probably baulk at.
Although a summer transfer is thought to be much more likely, Tottenham is still rumoured to be eager to bolster their engine room in the near future. Chelsea will have to back down from their demands if Gallagher does not pledge his future to the team.
With the permanent signing of Radu Dragusin from Genoa, Postecoglou has already strengthened his defensive line. Meanwhile, Timo Werner of RB Leipzig has joined on loan to offer further attacking competition.
Spurs’ midfield has been reduced by the exits of Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma for the Africa Cup of Nations, but Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who missed two clear opportunities to score in Friday’s 1-0 FA Cup loss to Manchester City, is still being considered by Juventus.
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It has been speculated that the Lilywhites may think about summoning up club record signing Tanguy Ndombele from his loan stay at Galatasaray before Thursday’s deadline if talks over possible arrivals prove fruitless.
The Frenchman’s term at Tottenham is set to conclude in 2025, but he has only made four Super Lig starts for the Turkish club, who are unlikely to use their option to extend his stay permanently.
Following Friday’s unsuccessful attempt to win a trophy for the first time since 2008, Spurs return to Premier League action on January 31 when they host rivals Brentford in London.
