Spurs’ $68m hijacking confirmed; shock exit demand rocks battlers — PL transfer latest

Spurs have pulled off a mammoth transfer coup, hijacking Aston Villa with a £34 million (AU$68 million) signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher.

The 25-year-old agreed a long-term contract with the Premier League club that reportedly runs until 2031.

“I wanted to be a Spurs player and thankfully the Club felt the same,” Gallagher said in Tottenham’s announcement, confirmed on Wednesday.

“It was very easy, it happened very quickly and I’m ready to get on the pitch.

“I know how great the fans are, I’m really happy to be a part of it here and want to create special moments and memories together.”

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Tottenham won the race to sign Gallagher after Aston Villa also expressed interest in the former Chelsea player. He was keen to leave Atletico for more regular action in a bid to secure a place in England’s squad for the World Cup later this year.

Gallagher’s signing is a boost to under-fire Tottenham boss Thomas Frank. Frank is fighting to save his job after a dismal run of five victories in 20 matches, including seven defeats in 13 after last weekend’s FA Cup third round exit against Aston Villa.

Only seven months after arriving from Brentford to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou, pressure has mounted on Frank, who has been booed on multiple occasions by frustrated fans.

Gallagher’s signing will fill a void in Tottenham’s midfield after Rodrigo Bentancur had surgery on a hamstring injury on Tuesday, while Lucas Bergvall is also sidelined and Pape Sarr is at the Africa Cup of Nations.

“Conor is a top midfielder, who we have worked tirelessly to add to our squad,” Frank said.

“He is still young, so has plenty of room for improvement, but also has huge experience across the Premier League, La Liga and with the England national team.

“Conor has captained teams so will bring leadership, maturity, character and personality to our dressing room, while his running power, pressing ability and eye for goal will strengthen us in a key area of the pitch.

“I’m excited about working with him every day and I know the fans will love what he will bring to the team.”

WEST HAM STAR WANTS OUT

If their performances on the field weren’t ugly enough, one of West Ham’s star players wants out of the London club.

According to Sky Sports, Lucas Paqueta is pushing for a return to Brazil, with Flamengo reportedly willing to pay £26m ($52m AUD) to secure his services.

Paqueta garnered interest from rival Premier League clubs, but reportedly has a desire to return to his home country.

The Brazilian Serie A’s transfer window will remain open until March, meaning Paqueta could continue to push for a move beyond January.

Regardless of where the midfielder lands, Paqueta reportedly will not be at the club beyond this season and did not feature in the club’s latest FA Cup tie against QPR.

West Ham splashed £51m ($102m AUD) to make the Brazilian their record transfer in 2022 but could be resigned to losing a significant portion of that figure.

The London club are currently in a relegation battle, sitting 18th and seven points from Nottingham Forest outside of the bottom three.

THE GUEHI SITUATION

As it stands, Marc Guehi’s future is up in the air.

The English international have a host of clubs interested in acquiring his services, but the Crystal Palace gun is in no rush to make a final call.

That is according to Sky Sports’ News’ Chief Correspondent Kaveh Solhekol, who is reporting Manchester City have concrete interest in signing the defender in January.

However, for a move to eventuate, the PL heavyweights will have to table an offer that is “too good to turn down”.

Elsewhere, both Liverpool and Arsenal are also in the running with both clubs previously showing an interest in the star centre back in the summer.

Liverpool went as far as making a £35m ($70m AUD) bid for his services, meaning any offer during the January transfer window may have to trump that figure.

However, Arne Slot’s side will reportedly instead push to sign Guehi as a free agent next summer, having held discussions with him regarding how he will be used.

Outside of the Premier League, German giants Bayern Munich are also interested in signing Guehi as a free agent.

CITY SPLASH THE CASH FOR BOURNEMOUTH TALISMAN

Antoine Semenyo said Friday that he wants to “rewrite history again” at Manchester City after joining from Bournemouth for a reported fee of £65 million ($130 million).

The 26-year-old, who has scored 10 Premier League goals this season, has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal at the Etihad and will be a major addition to their attacking arsenal.

Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham were also interested in the London-born Ghana international, who had a buyout clause that was understood to expire on Saturday.

The widely trailed transfer is the first major move by Premier League clubs in the January window.

“I have watched City over the last decade under Pep Guardiola, and they have been the dominant team in the Premier League as well as achieving amazing things in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup,” said Semenyo.

“They have set the highest of standards and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep.”

On debut, Semenyo scored one and assisted another goal in a 10-1 win over Exeter City, which marked the biggest ever win of Manchester City’s modern era.