The Key Factors Behind Conor Gallagher’s Decision to Join Tottenham Over Aston Villa
Conor Gallagher became Tottenham Hotspur’s first addition of the January transfer window on Wednesday, sealing a £35m move from Atletico Madrid.
The midfielder, who joined Atletico from Chelsea in 2024, has returned to the Premier League after agreeing a five-and-a-half-year deal with Spurs.
Thomas Frank has been short of midfield options in recent weeks, with Rodrigo Bentancur sidelined for around three months following hamstring surgery, while Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma were away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Injuries Force Spurs Into the Market
Tottenham faced competition from Aston Villa for the 25-year-old, with Gallagher initially expected to join Unai Emery’s side, who are pushing near the top of the table.
However, Spurs moved late and decisively after Bentancur’s injury, quickly wrapping up a deal — something the club has often been criticised for failing to do in the past.
Why Spurs Won the Race
From Atletico Madrid’s perspective, Tottenham were the preferred option because they offered exactly what the Spanish club wanted: a swift, permanent transfer.
Villa, constrained by Profit and Sustainability Rules and Squad Cost Ratio considerations, were leaning towards a loan deal with an option to buy. That approach mirrored their agreement for Harvey Elliott, a move that has since stalled after the Liverpool loanee was told he will not feature again this season, meaning the £35m obligation will not be triggered.
By contrast, Spurs were willing to meet Atletico’s €40m (£35m) valuation outright. The fee was accepted, with Gallagher quickly agreeing personal terms and passing his medical.
Player Motivation and London Pull
Gallagher was keen on a return to the Premier League after leaving Chelsea and is understood to have a point to prove to his boyhood club — now while wearing the colours of their rivals.
Speaking to Tottenham’s official website, he said:
> “I wanted to be a Spurs player and thankfully the Club felt the same. It was very easy, it happened very quickly and I’m ready to get on the pitch. I know how great the fans are, I’m really happy to be a part of it here and want to create special moments and memories together.”
Growing up in Surrey and spending much of his career in London also played a significant role in Gallagher’s decision, GIVEMESPORT understands.
Why Tottenham Beat Villa
The appeal of staying in London outweighed a potential return to the Midlands, where Gallagher previously spent a season on loan at West Brom in 2020/21, giving Spurs an edge over Villa.
Despite Villa sitting third in the Premier League and being in a stronger position to qualify for next season’s Champions League than 14th-placed Tottenham, Spurs had other advantages. Villa boast a settled squad performing beyond expectations under Emery, while Tottenham have struggled for consistency and urgently need structure and control in midfield.
That is where Gallagher fits in — and the likelihood of regular starts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, compared to tougher competition at Villa Park, is also believed to have influenced his choice.