James Maddison’s injury in Tottenham Hotspur’s most recent pre-season friendly will undoubtedly provide cause for concern, with the England international suffering yet another setback.
He entered a challenge during the clash against Newcastle United, before hobbling and eventually requiring treatment before being stretchered off the field.
It’s thought that it is the same knee the 28-year-old injured at the back end of last season, leading to Thomas Frank claiming he thinks it may be a serious injury.
Should the worst be confirmed, it would be a lengthy lay-off for the England international, once again disrupting his progress during his spell in North London.
As a result, it would be a surprise to no one that the hierarchy are subsequently targeting added reinforcements in the middle of the park in an area that was already being subject to investment this summer.
The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer
An attacking midfielder has been firmly on Spurs’ radar over recent weeks, as seen by their attempts to land Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White earlier this window.
The likes of Harvey Elliott, James McAtee and Jack Grealish have all been targeted since, but no deals have yet been agreed for any of the English talents this window.
However, moves have been made to land another talent this summer, with Atlético Madrid star Conor Gallagher once again in their sights this summer, according to one Spanish outlet.
The report claims that the Lilywhites are preparing a €50m (£43m) bid for the 25-year-old, who only moved to the LaLiga giants from Chelsea during last summer’s window.
It also states that he could be open to the possibility of a return to the Premier League, with his current employers open to negotiations over a move to offload the central midfielder.
Why Spurs’ latest target would be the perfect Maddison replacement
When he’s been fit, Maddison has often been the go-to choice to operate in a more attacking role within Spurs’ midfield – which usually operates in a three-man system.
The Englishman registered 12 goals and 10 assists across all competitions last season, helping the club win the Europa League, ending their 17-year wait for any form of silverware.
However, his injury record has massively plagued his spell in North London, suffering three separate injuries during his two-year spell at the club after his £40m move from Leicester City in 2023.
Their ambitions of landing other attacking midfielders before his latest setback are understandable, but they could now be on the back burner for the time being.
The hierarchy are evidently planning a move for Gallagher, which could allow for a change in shape within the three-man midfield, which could utilise new signing Joao Palhinha in his deep-lying role in the front of the backline.
The Portuguese international would be able to feature at the base of the side with two central midfielders ahead of him, which could include the Atlético star should he make the move.
He has all the tools to be a perfect box-to-box option, potentially being a key component in Frank’s system, which demands real quality in the middle of the park.
Gallagher, who’s been labelled “sensational” by journalist John Cross, starred in LaLiga last season, producing some incredible underlying stats within his 32 league appearances.
He achieved an 85% pass completion rate, whilst completing 2.6 passes into the final third per 90, having the creative ability despite his deep-lying midfield role.
Games played
32
Goals & assists
6
Pass accuracy
85%
Progressive passes
3.5
Passes into final third
2.6
Tackles made
2.5
Blocks made
1.3
Interceptions made
1.2
Take-ons completed
41%
The former Chelsea star also thrived out of possession, making 2.5 tackles per 90, along with 1.2 interceptions made, offering the Dane the perfect box-to-box option in his quest for success.
At 25, Gallagher is entering the prime years of his professional career, potentially making his £43m transfer fee an excellent piece of business for the Lilywhites hierarchy during this window.
Whilst he’s not a direct replacement for Maddison, he could help a needed transition take place at the heart of the side, which could offer a new dimension for the new boss ahead of 2025/26.
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