Tottenham Hotspur are in a strong position to secure a permanent deal for midfielder Joao Palhinha, currently on loan from Bayern Munich, according to reports from German journalist Florian Plettenberg. The Portuguese international has two “concrete options” this summer, with Tottenham and Sporting CP both vying for his signature.
Palhinha joined Bayern Munich last summer but saw limited playing time, leading to a loan move to Tottenham in January. He quickly became a key player under Roberto De Zerbi, helping to solidify the midfield and contributing to the club’s successful fight against relegation. De Zerbi has publicly stated the need for significant transfer activity following the team’s Premier League survival on the final day of the season, and Palhinha appears to be a priority target.
Plettenberg reports that Palhinha himself is eager to resolve his future soon. While Sporting CP represents a return to his homeland, Tottenham are currently considered to have a “good chance” of securing his services. A key sticking point in negotiations revolves around the transfer fee. The initial option to buy was set at €25 million, with potential add-ons that could raise the fee to €30 million, but Tottenham are reportedly attempting to renegotiate a lower price.
Tottenham have already been active in the transfer window, bringing in Andy Robertson on a free transfer from Liverpool. They are also reportedly close to completing deals for Savinho from Manchester City and Marcos Senesi from AFC Bournemouth, as reported by Fabrizio Romano. The addition of Palhinha would further strengthen De Zerbi’s squad as he looks to build a competitive team for the upcoming season. Securing these targets would signal a clear intent from the club to invest in the squad and avoid another relegation battle.
