Tottenham weighing up bid for 'very intense' midfielder after Xavi Simons transfer is done

Tottenham are now said to be stepping up their efforts to land a midfielder amid the expected arrival of RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons. Spurs hijacked Chelsea’s move for the £51.8million talent who had been holding out for a move to Stamford Bridge.

But Thomas Frank was able to offer guaranteed starts - or as close to guaranteed as a player can wish for - due to James Maddison’s injury opening up the number 10 spot. Chelsea cannot offer a vacant spot given Cole Palmer will be the first choice attacking midfielder.

Spurs still have other positions to fill, though, and they are likely to want another midfielder after missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White earlier in the window. Yves Bissouma is expected to leave, with Galatasaray reportedly the prime candidates to pull off a move.

But Frank is likely to sign an out-and-out midfielder over a defensive one given Joao Palhinha and Pape Matar Sarr are both options there, as is youngster Archie Gray. One potential option is Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher.

The former Chelsea star is still valued by Atletico, with Mundo Deportivo reporting that the Spanish club don’t want to let him go, especially within the last week of the transfer window. But Gallagher is not currently a starter, and he could push for a move back to the Premier League.

Reports in Spain have mooted a bid for Gallagher this week, with Marca reporting that Spurs are the club ‘stalking’ the midfielder heading towards the deadline. The former Chelsea man cost Atletico £38million and it’s likely the Spanish club would expect to make more than that to agree a deal, given they would have to replace him in the final days of the window.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone said of Gallagher as recently as April: "When we think of him we think of his youth, energy and intensity in the game. He also strikes the ball very well," Simeone said ahead of Monday's home game against Real Valladolid.

"It's never easy for players coming from England to adapt to the Spanish championship, to the language. He has competed very well in different places and in positions where he doesn't feel more comfortable. He will evolve, he has room for growth. He is very intense in offensive and defensive play, he brings a lot to us."

Your next Tottenham read, Tottenham want to strike deal for ‘exceptional’ Man City star