A familiar face is returning home.
Conor Gallagher is set to return to the Premier League after agreeing to a €40 million move to Tottenham Hotspur, David Ornstein of The Athletic reported on Monday.
Aston Villa were the initial favourites to sign the midfielder after reaching a verbal club-to-club agreement with Atlético Madrid. The Spanish giants accepted Villa’s proposal of a loan with an option to buy, but Spurs later entered the race and matched the offer with an improved bid.
The clubs are now nearing an agreement that is expected to be accepted by Atlético, with Gallagher believed to be keen on the move, per Ornstein.
Gallagher has spent the past 17 months in Madrid after leaving Chelsea, where he spent five years under contract at his boyhood club and captained the side in his final season.
He appeared in 51 matches while in Spain, scoring five goals and recording three assists. In his only full season with Los Colchoneros, he helped his side to a third-place finish, 12 points behind champions Barcelona.
The 25-year-old English international graduated from the Chelsea academy in 2019 and spent the first three years of his professional career on loan at Charlton Athletic, Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion, and Crystal Palace.
Upon his return to the five-time Premier League champions, he helped his side win the Europa League in 2019.
With Spurs currently 14th in the league on 27 points, the club will hope Gallagher’s arrival can help galvanize a squad in need of renewed motivation.
