Spurs are lining up move to sign an “exceptional” £56m Gallagher upgrade

Tottenham Hotspur splashed out £34m to sign England international Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid to bolster Thomas Frank’s midfield options earlier this month.

Spurs have picked up one point from his first two starts for the club in the Premier League since that move, losing 2-1 to West Ham United and drawing 2-2 with Burnley. Both teams were in the relegation zone at the time of those matches.

Gallagher lost possession 29 times across those two games without scoring a goal or creating any ‘big chances’ for his side, per Sofascore, but he did win 13 duels out of possession against the two strugglers.

Spurs already have Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur, when fit, Archie Gray, and Yves Bissouma to offer combative qualities in midfield, though, and the £34m signing has not addressed their lack of attacking drive in the middle of the park.

Spurs eyeing up move for Bundesliga star

The Lilywhites are, though, reportedly looking at a central midfielder who could come in to offer something different to what Frank currently has at his disposal.

According to journalist Mark Brus, in his Daily Briefing, Tottenham Hotspur are one of a number of clubs lining up a move to sign Borussia Dortmund star Felix Nmecha, but it remains to be seen whether a transfer would be now or in the summer.

The reporter claims that Spurs have been scouting the Germany international for some time and that he caught the eye in the game against them in the Champions League earlier this month.

He adds that Chelsea and Manchester United are among the other clubs interested in the former Manchester City academy talent, which means that there is strong competition for his signature.

Brus also reveals that the German giants are set to demand a fee of up to €65m (£56m) for the impressive central midfielder, and that price tag, with what little time there is left of the January window, suggests that a summer move is more likely.

Why Nmecha would be a big Gallagher upgrade

Whether it happens now or at the end of the season, Nmecha could arrive in North London as a big upgrade on Gallagher in the middle of the park, despite the fact that Spurs only just spent £34m to bring him to the club.

As aforementioned, the English star was a slightly odd signing for the Lilywhites because he is similar in profile to the clutch of players that they already have in his position.

Nmecha, however, offers something different. Per Sofascore, the 25-year-old talent has scored 11 goals and provided five assists in all competitions since the start of the 2024/25 campaign, including three goals in seven matches in the Champions League this season.

The German dynamo is a well-rounded central midfielder who can offer quality in all phases of play, because he has the ability to make an impact defensively, in transition, and at the top end of the pitch.

In the Bundesliga this season, Nmecha has averaged one dribble per game at a success rate of 54%, per Sofascore, which shows that he is comfortable when driving the ball forward in midfield to progress play for his team, something Spurs supporters have not seen enough of this term.

As you can see in the table above, Nmecha’s performances in the Bundesliga this season have been significantly better than what Gallagher produced in LaLiga before his big money move to North London earlier this month.

The £56m-rated star can impact games out of possession by winning duels at an efficient rate, but he can also dribble up the pitch in transition and provide goals and assists in the final third to decide matches.

His former head coach, Nuri Sahin, even described him as an “exceptional” player because of his ability to play as a number six, eight, or ten in midfield, due to the wide range of qualities that he possesses.

Because of that, Nmecha could be a big upgrade on Gallagher in midfield. He has more tools at his disposal to impact a game than the England international does, and could offer more to Spurs in matches with his all-round game.

Therefore, the Lilywhites should be doing everything in their power to win the race to sign the Dortmund star, whether that is this window or in the summer.