Connor Gallagher: Tottenham expect to complete a £35m deal for the Atletico Madrid midfielder

Tottenham €40m (£35m) deal for Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher expected to be completed after moving on Aston Villa In the race to sign the England international.

Villa appeared to be in pole position to land Gallagher but the north London club are now closing in on the 25-year-old after showing a willingness to meet Atletico’s €40m valuation.

Villa preferred to sign the former Chelsea man on an initial loan deal with the option to make the deal permanent.

Gallagher has still formally agreed personal terms with Tottenham, but it is understood this is a formality.

The midfielder is keen to complete the transfer before Atletico’s match against Deportivo in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday evening.

A return to the Premier League is likely to suit Gallagher as he attempts to return to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

He has played just once under the German so far, playing for 59 minutes in the 3-1 friendly defeat to Senegal.

Tottenham are looking to add options to their midfield after Rodrigo Bentancur was ruled out for at least three months.

The Uruguayan national team player suffered the injury during the team’s loss to Bournemouth in the English Premier League last week and requires surgery on the hamstring.