Tottenham seek to renegotiate Palhinha fee as Kehl eyed for sporting director role
Tottenham Hotspur are keen to retain Bayern Munich loanee Joao Palhinha on a permanent basis but will only do so if they can renegotiate a lower fee, according to reports. The north London club is also poised for a significant overhaul of its recruitment structure, with former Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl emerging as the leading candidate for a key role.
German journalist Florian Plettenberg reports that while Tottenham are happy with Palhinha's performances, the club is reluctant to trigger the pre-agreed option to buy, which is set at 25 million euros (£21.4m) guaranteed, with potential add-ons taking the total to 30 million euros (£25.7m). Spurs are now seeking to broker a new, reduced agreement with Bayern Munich, who are reportedly open to a sale. A final decision is expected after the season concludes.
The 30-year-old Portuguese midfielder joined Tottenham on a season-long loan last summer and has been a regular fixture in a difficult campaign for the club, which finds itself in a relegation battle. His potential permanent signing is seen as a foundational move for the future, regardless of which division Tottenham will compete in next season. Palhinha's current contract with Bayern runs until 2028.
This transfer strategy is set to be overseen by a new sporting director, with the club looking to install a fresh executive to work alongside the retained Johan Lange. Plettenberg names Sebastian Kehl, who left Borussia Dortmund last year, as the primary target for the position. However, sources close to Kehl indicate a decision is not imminent, as he is considering whether to return to football immediately or take a period of rest.
The pursuit of a new director underscores Tottenham's intent to rectify what has been widely criticized as poor recruitment in recent seasons. The club has already committed to head coach Roberto De Zerbi on a long-term contract and is now focusing on building a more robust backroom team to support him. Securing Palhinha on revised terms would represent an early win for the new structure, providing stability in midfield.
For Bayern Munich, the sale of Palhinha would conclude a chapter that began with his high-profile move from Fulham in 2024. His subsequent loan to Tottenham last summer now looks likely to become permanent, albeit at a potentially reduced price. For Tottenham, keeping a player of his experience is viewed as crucial for either a Premier League rebuild or a potential campaign in the Championship, with his combative style seen as essential for the challenges ahead.
