Tottenham Hotspur are edging closer to completing the signing of Atlético Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher, having surged ahead of Aston Villa in the race for the England international.

According to BBC Sport on Tuesday, Spurs are confident of sealing a £35 million deal for the 25-year-old after signalling their readiness to meet Atlético’s valuation in full. Villa had earlier been considered favourites to land Gallagher but failed to convince the Spanish side after proposing an initial loan move with an option to buy.

Atlético have been willing to sanction a permanent sale this summer, and Tottenham’s commitment to an outright transfer has placed them firmly in pole position. While personal terms are yet to be finalised, talks are ongoing and are understood to be a formality.

Gallagher is keen for the deal to be concluded swiftly, ideally before Atlético’s Copa del Rey encounter with Deportivo on Tuesday night, as he looks to resolve his future ahead of the new season.

A return to the Premier League would be a major boost for the midfielder, who spent last season in Spain after leaving Chelsea. Gallagher believes regular football in England would enhance his chances of working his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

So far, he has made just one appearance under Tuchel, playing 59 minutes in England’s 3–1 friendly defeat to Senegal, and is determined to re-establish himself as a regular international.

Tottenham’s push for Gallagher has been intensified by midfield injury concerns, with Rodrigo Bentancur ruled out for at least three months. Spurs are eager to bolster their options in the centre of the park, and Gallagher’s high-energy, pressing style is viewed as an ideal fit for Ange Postecoglou’s system.