Tottenham have agreed a deal with Bayern Munich for the loan signing of Joao Palhinha. Spurs will have an option to buy the midfielder for £27m. Initially this was expected to be a straight loan but it is believed Bayern inserted the purchase option in fresh talks late on Thursday.
A loan deal will give Spurs flexibility to spend funds elsewhere this summer. Spurs priority is to bolster the attacking positions, while they also want to add a full-back and a No 10. Palhinha could now be set for a return to the Premier League, one year after he joined Bayern from Fulham for a fee worth up to £47.
4m. The 30-year-old midfielder has three years remaining on his current contract. Spurs and Bayern are on good terms after doing deals for Harry Kane, Eric Dier and Mathys Tel in recent seasons. Transfer Centre LIVE! | Tottenham news & transfers⚪Sky Sports to show 215 live PL games from next seasonPalhinha made 25 appearances across all competitions for Bayern last season, including 17 outings in the Bundesliga as Vincent Kompanys side went on to become champions.
Analysis: Palhinha would add bite to Spurs midfieldSky Sports Peter Smith: Joao Palhinha left the Premier League last summer as the toughest tackler in the top flight. His total of 152 tackles was more than any other player by a distance and was the standout trait of the Fulham enforcer.
There were 13 yellows in that 2023/24 season, too, underlining the bite he brings to midfield battles. And that would be a welcome addition to Spurs play. Neither Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr nor Rodrigo Bentancur are as ruthless at winning the ball back as Palhinha, who also ranked among the top 10 for interceptions during his previous Premier League campaign.
Palhinhas belated move to Bayern Munich didnt prove to be worth the wait, with an injury disruptive and head coach Vincent Kompany ultimately leaving him on the fringes. But a return to London looks like a smart switch for the Portuguese and Spurs – and a daunting one for opposition midfielders.
Frank: We will be active in the transfer marketTottenham boss Thomas Frank admitted the club are looking for further additions in the summer transfer window. Spurs have already secured the signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham, as well as Kota Takai and Luka Vuskovic.
Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel have also seen their initial loan moves converted into permanent deals. However, Franks side missed out on Morgan Gibbs-White after the England international signed a new three-year deal at the City Ground.
Forest accused Spurs of making an illegal approach for the midfielder with a £60m bid earlier this month. Speaking in his first press conference since being appointed to the role, Frank commented on further incomings, saying: There is no doubt that, if you want to compete in all tournaments, you need a competitive squad.
There are a lot of competitive players in the squad already. The club is in the market and looking. What will happen, I will speak when a player comes into the building. Sky Sports to show 215 live Premier League games from next season From next season, Sky Sports Premier League coverage will increase from 128 matches to at least 215 games exclusively live.
And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League games next season are on Sky Sports.
