Unai Emery calls for an immediate response after Tottenham Hotspur's significant Premier League victory.
Unai Emery calls for an immediate response after Tottenham Hotspur's significant Premier League victory. [Image via BBC]
Aston Villa are in a three-way battle for the Tottenham midfielder.
Things are finally starting to click for Tottenham Hotspur, who have won their last three matches on the spin in the Premier League, with the most recent victory coming at home against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Spurs enjoyed a relatively comfortable 2-0 victory over Palace, following Jean-Philippe Mateta’s dismissal for a reckless challenge on Micky van de Ven in the 13th minute, with Archie Gray opening the scoring with a header in the first half, before Jan Paul van Hecke secured all three points.
While Tottenham are climbing up the table, the Hotspur Way chiefs continue to scour the market to address different areas of the squad. At the same time, a few of De Zerbi’s players are also linked with an exit.
Jan Paul van Hecke celebrates after scoring against Crystal Palace
Jan Paul van Hecke celebrates after scoring against Crystal Palace
According to a report by German outlet Fussball News, Aston Villa are one of the Premier League clubs weighing up a move for Tottenham midfielder Conor Gallagher. Leeds United and Everton are also keeping tabs on the 26-year-old ahead of the winter transfer window.
Spurs are “still planning with Conor Gallagher”, and he has a long-term contract in N17. The England international has been in and out of the Tottenham side since joining from Atletico Madrid in a deal worth €40 million in January 2026. He returned to the Premier League with lofty ambitions, but has not managed to cement his place in the Lilywhites’ XI.
Aston Villa wanted to sign Gallagher before he joined Tottenham. The continued interest reflects the need for a versatile midfielder, as John McGinn and Ross Barkley are on the wrong side of 30 and approaching the twilight of their careers, while Boubacar Kamara is injury-prone. The Villans are exploring a move for the ex-Chelsea man as part of their long-term planning.
Tottenham
However, De Zerbi rates the Englishman highly and would be reluctant to lose him mid-season. With Gallagher contracted until 2031 and the North Londoners under no pressure to sell, it would take a big fee to lure him away from White Hart Lane.
An experienced campaigner, Gallagher would also want assurances from De Zerbi about starting opportunities before deciding on his future. At 26, the Epson-born star is entering his prime and would be keen to play more regularly than he’s currently doing at Tottenham. If he pushes to leave, Villa may get a window of opportunity to test Spurs’ resolve with a bid.