Conor Gallagher Transfers to Tottenham as Aston Villa Eyes Dani Ceballos

Conor Gallagher left Chelsea for Atletico Madrid in August 2024, but after an 18-month stint abroad, he has returned to the Premier League, this time signing with Tottenham Hotspur.

Aston Villa expressed interest in the 25-year-old midfielder; however, the former Crystal Palace loanee ultimately joined Spurs for around £35 million ($47 million). Upon his arrival, Gallagher, who joins the team at a time when new teammate Rodrigo Bentancur is sidelined for three months due to injury, shared his enthusiasm about the transfer.

“I’m thrilled and excited to be here, taking the next step in my career at such an incredible club. I wanted to be a Spurs player, and thankfully, the club felt the same way. The process was seamless and quick, and I’m eager to get on the pitch,” he stated. “I recognize how fantastic the fans are, and I’m truly happy to be part of this community. I look forward to creating special moments and memories together.”

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank also expressed his excitement about Gallagher joining the squad, noting that the former West Brom loanee brings essential attributes such as leadership and stamina. The Danish coach remarked, “Conor is an exceptional midfielder whom we have worked hard to bring into our squad. He is still young, providing ample opportunity for growth, but he already possesses significant experience in the Premier League, La Liga, and with the England national team. Conor has experience in leadership roles, which will contribute maturity, character, and personality to our dressing room. His running ability, pressing skills, and offensive instincts will enhance a crucial area of our game. I am looking forward to working with him daily, and I am confident the fans will appreciate his contributions to the team.”

In response to missing out on Gallagher, Aston Villa is reportedly turning its attention to Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos, according to talkSPORT. Ceballos was an unused substitute during Madrid’s unexpected Copa del Rey defeat to second-tier side Albacete on Wednesday.

Football expert Terry Gibson mentioned, “There has been speculation today in Spain regarding a potential move to Aston Villa for Ceballos, which explains why he did not feature last night. Having lost out on Conor Gallagher, Villa seems to view Dani Ceballos as a viable alternative.”

Ceballos has previously played under Unai Emery during his tenure at Arsenal and has indicated that the Spanish manager holds him in high regard. He stated, “I chose to play at a club like Arsenal because, aside from its status as a significant club, Unai practically came to my house to express his admiration for my abilities. A coach’s confidence is crucial for optimal performance. Unai assured me I would be important to him at Arsenal, and I had no hesitation in making that move.”

The 29-year-old midfielder has made just seven starts across all competitions for Madrid this season and will be closely monitoring how new manager Alvaro Arbeloa utilizes him in the coming weeks. With just over two weeks remaining in the transfer window, Villa may be keeping a close watch on his situation.