Conor Gallagher’s Transfer Journey to Tottenham Hotspur

In the summer of 2024, England international Conor Gallagher made a monumental career transition by joining Atletico Madrid for a fee of up to £38 million ($51 million). This move concluded nearly two decades at Chelsea, prompting the midfielder to express heartfelt gratitude to the club and its supporters upon his departure.

“To everyone at Chelsea Football Club, especially the fans, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for everything over the past 18 years. You have made my dreams come true, and I will be forever grateful. I wish you all the best for the future, and I look forward to seeing you soon,” he stated.

“It has been an absolute honor every time I donned the shirt, and captaining the team on several occasions was a dream fulfilled. I cherished every moment; these memories will last a lifetime. I am grateful for all the love and support from the fans. Hearing my name chanted at Stamford Bridge was a special experience, and the banner you displayed meant the world to me. Thank you for everything. I wish the club continued success, and I hope to reconnect with you all soon at Stamford Bridge!”

During his first season with Diego Simeone’s side, Gallagher made 50 appearances and scored four goals. Following this performance, Simeone praised him, stating, “When we think of him, we think of his youth, energy, and intensity on the field. He also strikes the ball exceptionally well. Adapting to the Spanish league and its language is never easy for players coming from England, but he has performed admirably in various positions, even those outside his comfort zone. He has significant room for development, and his intensity in both offensive and defensive play adds immense value to our team.”

Despite making 27 appearances and scoring three goals this season, often as a substitute, Gallagher appears poised to return to the Premier League. While Fabrizio Romano reported earlier that Aston Villa and Atletico had verbally agreed to a loan deal for Gallagher, David Ornstein from The Athletic indicates that the 25-year-old will instead be heading to Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs have reportedly placed a bid of £34.7 million ($47 million) for Gallagher, which is expected to be accepted, and he is eager for the move.

Aston Villa had expressed strong interest in the midfielder, but no agreements were finalized, allowing Tottenham to take the lead in this pursuit. After being a regular starter last season, Gallagher’s limited opportunities in La Liga this term—only four starts—have paved the way for this potential new chapter in his career.

If the transfer progresses swiftly, Gallagher could make his debut for Tottenham this Saturday when Thomas Frank’s side hosts relegation-threatened West Ham in the Premier League. If not, more than two weeks remain in the January transfer window. However, it is worth noting that changes to Champions League squads cannot be made until after the league phase concludes, precluding a European debut before the knockout stages.