Tottenham caused a stir in the January transfer window by agreeing to sign Conor Gallagher, but it has now emerged that the north London club have been keeping a close eye on Liverpool’s Curtis Jones for some time.
Spurs on Monday agreed a £34.7m deal for Gallagher with Atlético Madrid in a quick move to strengthen Thomas Frank’s midfield following a serious injury to Rodrigo Bentancur.
Aston Villa made the first move to sign the former Chelsea player, but Spurs swooped in and hijacked the deal.
However, club sources said the recruitment team had spent several weeks evaluating high-profile targets to find the right profile for the progressive central midfielder.
Tottenham interested in Curtis Jones
Prominent Tottenham insider Paul O’Keeffe has shed light on the club’s transfer logic in X, revealing that Liverpool’s academy graduate is firmly in the slot.
When asked by a fan if Spurs were looking for a “progressive” midfielder, O’Keefe said: “Not very progressive, but they had Curtis Jones on their list. They’re probably taking that down now. He’s got one year left on his contract.”
The 24-year-old midfielder, previously described as “extraordinary” by Jurgen Klopp, has enjoyed a resurgence under manager Arne Slott at Anfield, but is at a crucial time regarding his contract.
His current contract is set to expire in June 2027, effectively putting him in the final 18 months of his contract, but Spurs were reportedly prepared to take advantage of the situation before turning their attention to Gallagher.
Comparing the playing styles of Jones and Gallagher
Although both players operate primarily as No. 8s, they offer vastly different tactical solutions.
Curtis Jones has evolved into a high-level “press-resistant” controller under Arne Slott, boasting a pass success rate of over 91%.
He excels at holding the ball in tight spaces and moving play forward through short, intricate passing sequences.
His profile could have suggested a more technical, possession-oriented approach for Spurs.
Conor Gallagher, by contrast, is characterized by his relentless physicality and defensive tenacity.
Gallagher’s game is made up of high-intensity pressing, winning second balls and late runs into the penalty area.
He may not have the ball-keeping prowess of Jones, but his defensive performance, averaging nearly three tackles per 90, provides the grit in the engine room that Thomas Frank reportedly prioritized to protect a fragile backline.
Thomas Frank aims to secure another contract
Gallagher’s impending arrival is a statement of intent from a Tottenham side who currently sit 14th in the Premier League.
The England squad will include 19-year-old Brazilian left-back Souza, who joins from Santos in a £13 million deal as cover for the injured Destiny Udogi.
Despite these two important additions, the Spurs’ board may not be complete yet. Manager Thomas Frank is under increasing pressure to improve his results, and there are rumors of further reinforcements at the club.
