James Madison’s Tottenham Hotspur’s latest preseason friendly injury will undoubtedly provide a source of concern.
He took part in the challenge during a clash with Newcastle United before hobling, and ultimately demanded treatment before reaching out of the field.
He is the same knee that he was injured at the back end last season at the 28-year-old, and is believed to have led to Thomas Frank and claim he thinks it is a serious injury.
If the worst is confirmed, it would be a long layoff for England International, once again disrupting his progress during the spell in North London.
As a result, no one will be surprised that the hierarchy is targeting the added reinforcement in the middle of the area parks that were already invested in this summer.
Latest new additions on Spurs hunting this summer
The attacking midfielder has been firmly on the Spurs radar for the past few weeks, as seen in their attempts to land in front of this window.
Harvey Elliott, James McAtee, Jack Grealish and others are all targeted, but there is no agreement yet on the English talent for this window.
However, according to the Spanish outlet, Atletico Madrid star Conor Gallagher is keeping an eye on this summer, so there has been a move to land another talent this summer.
The report claims that the Lily Whites are preparing a bid of 50 million euros (£43 million) for the 25-year-old who moved from Chelsea to the Lariga giants during the window last summer.
He also said he is open to the possibility of a return to the Premier League and will be able to open up negotiations for current employers to offload the central midfielder.
Why the Spurs’ latest target is the perfect Madison replacement
When he was healthy, Madison was often the go-to choice to run in a more offensive role in the Spurs midfield. This usually works on a system of three people.
The British registered 12 goals and 10 assists in all competitions last season, and the club won the Europa League and finished after 17 years of waiting for all forms of silverware.
However, his injury record has been a major troubling of his spell in North London, following a £40 million move from Leicester City in 2023, which has plagued his spell in North London significantly during his two years at the club.
I understand their ambition to land other attacking midfielders before his latest set-off, but they could be on the backburner for the time being.
The hierarchy clearly plans Gallagher’s moves. Gallagher could potentially allow for changes in shape within the midfield of the three.
Portugal International is able to appear at the base of the side with two central midfielders before him.
He has all the tools to become the perfect box-to-box option, potentially a key component of Frank’s system and potentially demanding real quality in the middle of the park.
Labeled “sensational” by journalist John Cross, Gallagher starred in Lariga last season, producing incredibly fundamental statistics among his 32 league appearances.
He achieved a pass completion rate of 85%, but completed 2.6 passes in the final third per 90, and has creative ability despite his deep midfield role.
Conor Gallagher Statistics of Atletico Madrid in Lariga (2024/25) | |
|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) | totalling |
The game has been played | 32 |
Goals and Assistance | 6 |
Accuracy | 85% |
Progressive Pass | 3.5 |
Move to the last third | 2.6 |
Made tackle | 2.5 |
Created blocks | 1.3 |
Intercept has been performed | 1.2 |
Take-on is complete | 41% |
Statistics via FBREF | |
The former Chelsea star also thrived from owning, creating 2.5 tackles per 90, with 1.2 interceptions being made, offering Dane the perfect box-to-box option in his quest for success.
At 25, Gallagher enters the best year of his professional career and has the potential to make a transfer fee of £43 million during this window into an excellent business for the Lily White tier.
He is not a direct replacement for Madison, but he can help the necessary transitions take place at the heart of the aspect, providing a new dimension to the new boss than in 2025/26.