MADRID, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Conor Gallagher appears set to leave Atletico Madrid after the club gave the English midfielder permission to travel to London for a medical ahead of a move to Tottenham.

The 25-year-old was not included in Atletico's squad for Tuesday night's Copa del Rey match away to Deportivo La Coruna, and his time in Spain looks close to ending.

Gallagher joined Atletico from Chelsea in the summer of 2024 for just over 40 million euros. He has made 77 first-team appearances, but he has not been a first-choice option under coach Diego Simeone. He has made only a handful of starts in La Liga this season and has played less than 40 percent of the team's total minutes.

Tottenham is willing to allow Atletico to almost recoup its outlay on Gallagher due to a long-term injury to Rodrigo Bentancur. Gallagher is also keen to increase his minutes as he bids to regain his place in the England squad after dropping out of coach Thomas Tuchel's plans in recent games.

A return to England for Gallagher had been mooted last summer, but he insisted he was happy in Spain and wanted to succeed at Atletico.

Striker Giancomo Raspadori also looks set to leave Atletico in the transfer window, with either Roma or Napoli his destination after the Italy international failed to secure a regular starting place in Simeone's side. ■