On Monday, they worked to convince the Atletico Madrid midfielder to choose a move to North London, despite strong competition.
The two Premier League clubs were locked in a head-to-head battle for Gallagher’s signature.
While Villa could offer the more attractive short-term sporting project, Spurs ultimately look to have won by making a decisive move on personal conditions.
Gallagher is currently believed to be on a lucrative deal in Spain worth up to £200,000 per week including bonuses, meaning Tottenham had to act boldly to demonstrate their intent.
Initially, Spurs explored the possibility of a loan move, but talks accelerated rapidly and a permanent transfer in the region of £35 million was being finalised on Monday evening.
Sources close to the situation suggest Tottenham’s long-standing admiration for Gallagher played a crucial role.
The club have tracked the midfielder for a year, and their continued pursuit helped convince the England international of how highly he is valued and how central he could become to their plans.
There were also important personal factors at play. A return to London will allow Gallagher to live closer to his family, something that holds significant importance to him after spending time away in Spain.
For Aston Villa, missing out on Gallagher reflects the delicate balance they must strike in the transfer market. With financial considerations in mind, Unai Emery’s side may prioritise reinforcements in attack.
Villa, who are enjoying an impressive season under Emery, have recently been linked with a move for striker Tammy Abraham and are open to losing Donyell Malen.
Tottenham, meanwhile, appear to have made a statement - not just about their spending power, but about their ambition to compete aggressively for top-level talent.
They hope to complete the Gallagher deal soon and are then expected to more actively attempt to sign a player of significance for their attack.
