Two midfield signings and two sales Tottenham need after £35m Conor Gallagher deal - Opinion

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Tottenham Hotspur remain some way off where they need to be this season, and while Conor Gallagher’s imminent arrival is a positive step, further midfield surgery is required if Spurs are to complete a proper rebuild.

Tottenham Hotspur are still far away from where they need to be as a team this season, with results on the pitch continuing to disappoint.

Spurs currently find themselves some way off the top five, sitting 14th in the Premier League table.

However, the winter window offers the Lilywhites an opportunity to turn their fortunes around with the right recruitment.

One such signing looks set to arrive, with Conor Gallagher edging closer to completing a €40 million (£34.3 million) move to north London.

While that represents encouraging business, it is far from the only work required in midfield, and two further signings, alongside two departures, could be key to completing the rebuild.

Tottenham must sign a deep-lying playmaker

Tottenham simply do not control games consistently enough, and that is not entirely down to the head coach, but rather the personnel currently available.

Spurs lack a true midfield controller, the type of player who can dictate tempo, recycle possession and vary the pace of a match with controlled, intelligent passing.

At present, Tottenham are guilty of stacking midfielders with similar profiles, with Rodrigo Bentancur, Archie Gray, Pape Matar Sarr and Joao Palhinha all cut from a similar cloth, leaving a key piece of the puzzle missing.

To elevate the midfield, a signing such as Adam Wharton would represent an ideal next step, and Tottenham have been repeatedly linked with the Crystal Palace midfielder, although a fee well north of £50 million would be required to sign Wharton.

Hayden Hackney offers Spurs a different midfield profile

If Tottenham want to raise the technical level of their midfield, it will be vital to sign a player capable of operating on the same wavelength as Adam Wharton.

That is where Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney comes into the conversation, with the technically gifted Championship player linked with Spurs in recent windows.

Hackney would not command the same fee as Wharton, with a Transfermarkt valuation of €25 million (£21.4 million) representing a reasonable price.

He could prove to be a smart acquisition, offering something different to what Spurs already have in midfield.

Hackney is capable of dictating tempo, finding pockets of space and linking defence with attack, providing creativity from deep rather than relying on physicality or goals.

Having a player comfortable playing forward passes would address one of the biggest criticisms of the current midfield setup and help Tottenham play more progressive, front-foot football.

Players Spurs should move on from midfield…

Yves Bissouma’s time at Tottenham is up

When it comes to potential departures, Yves Bissouma appears to be one of the most obvious candidates.

The Mali international is clearly not in Thomas Frank’s plans, having not featured at all this season. Spurs were even close to moving Bissouma in the summer before fitness issues derailed a deal.

With his contract set to expire in six months, Tottenham now risk losing him for nothing unless he is sold during this window.

Bissouma has not been short of options this winter window, with five clubs reported to be eyeing up a possible transfer for the Mali international.

Rodrigo Bentancur runs the risk of being sold after latest injury setback

Rodrigo Bentancur is another midfielder whose future could be considered following his latest injury setback.

The Uruguayan started brightly after arriving in north London but has struggled to rediscover that level since returning from a long-term ACL injury in the 2022-23 season.

His tendency to play safe passes has become an issue in a side that needs greater progression through midfield, and with another three-month absence confirmed for Bentancur, Spurs may be open to offers.

The Uruguayan has only recently signed a new contract, but if interest emerges, the funds generated from a sale could play an important role in reshaping the midfield.

Atletico Madrid showed interest last summer and could yet return.