Tottenham Hotspur have decided against activating the option to permanently sign Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich, according to reports from Tom Barclay of The Sun and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. The Portugal international spent last season on loan with Spurs, playing a crucial role in securing their Premier League status with a vital goal on the final day.
Palhinha’s loan deal included a £26 million option to buy, and personal terms for a permanent move were already agreed. However, Tottenham’s recent significant investment in midfield has led to a change in plans. The club completed the £85 million signing of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham on Thursday, and are on the verge of adding Sandro Tonali from Newcastle for a fee of £92.5 million plus £7.5 million in add-ons.
Tonali reportedly cited the influence of manager Roberto De Zerbi as a key factor in his decision to join Tottenham, despite some surprise given the club’s recent league finishes. De Zerbi now has a wealth of midfield options at his disposal, including Fernandes, Tonali, Rodrigo Bentancur, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, and Pape Sarr, as well as Conor Gallagher.
With a bolstered midfield and no European football to contend with next season, Tottenham have determined that adding another midfielder is not a priority. Fabrizio Romano stated that the decision was made directly after the signings of Tonali and Fernandes, despite Palhinha’s desire to remain at the club. This decision allows the club to avoid spending a combined £185 million on midfielders and retain existing talents like Gray and Bergvall.
