Tottenham brought on a stir within the January switch window by agreeing to signal Conor Gallagher, but it surely has now emerged that the north London membership have been protecting a detailed eye on Liverpool’s Curtis Jones for a while.
Spurs on Monday agreed a £34.7m deal for Gallagher with Atlético Madrid in a fast transfer to strengthen Thomas Frank’s midfield following a severe damage to Rodrigo Bentancur.
Aston Villa made the primary transfer to signal the previous Chelsea participant, however Spurs swooped in and hijacked the deal.
Nevertheless, membership sources stated the recruitment group had spent a number of weeks evaluating high-profile targets to search out the correct profile for the progressive central midfielder.
Tottenham curious about Curtis Jones
Distinguished Tottenham insider Paul O’Keeffe has make clear the membership’s switch logic in X, revealing that Liverpool’s academy graduate is firmly within the slot.
When requested by a fan if Spurs had been on the lookout for a “progressive” midfielder, O’Keefe stated: “Not very progressive, however that they had Curtis Jones on their checklist. They’re in all probability taking that down now. He is acquired one yr left on his contract.”
The 24-year-old midfielder, beforehand described as “extraordinary” by Jurgen Klopp, has loved a resurgence underneath supervisor Arne Slott at Anfield, however is at a vital time relating to his contract.
His present contract is about to run out in June 2027, successfully placing him within the remaining 18 months of his contract, however Spurs had been reportedly ready to benefit from the state of affairs earlier than turning their consideration to Gallagher.
Evaluating the taking part in types of Jones and Gallagher
Though each gamers function primarily as No. 8s, they provide vastly completely different tactical options.
Curtis Jones has advanced right into a high-level “press-resistant” controller underneath Arne Slott, boasting a go success fee of over 91%.
He excels at holding the ball in tight areas and transferring play ahead via brief, intricate passing sequences.
His profile might have prompt a extra technical, possession-oriented method for Spurs.
Conor Gallagher, in contrast, is characterised by his relentless physicality and defensive tenacity.
Gallagher’s recreation is made up of high-intensity urgent, profitable second balls and late runs into the penalty space.
He could not have the ball-keeping prowess of Jones, however his defensive efficiency, averaging practically three tackles per 90, supplies the grit within the engine room that Thomas Frank reportedly prioritized to guard a fragile backline.
Thomas Frank goals to safe one other contract
Gallagher’s impending arrival is an announcement of intent from a Tottenham facet who at the moment sit 14th within the Premier League.
The England squad will embrace 19-year-old Brazilian left-back Souza, who joins from Santos in a £13 million deal as cowl for the injured Future Udogi.
Regardless of these two vital additions, the Spurs’ board will not be full but. Supervisor Thomas Frank is underneath growing stress to enhance his outcomes, and there are rumors of additional reinforcements on the membership.
