Transfer News: Tottenham receive a blow in chase for Joao Palhinha

According to transfer news from A Bola (h/t Football.london), Tottenham have received a blow in their pursuit for Joao Palhinha. The Spurs target has impressed with Sporting CP and could now be offered a new deal with increased wages.

A Sporting man through and through, Palhinha is an academy graduate of the club. However, he was not really making the grade at the senior level and was allowed to move on loan early on in his career. His long-term loan deal to Braga was where it all clicked and he established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the league.

He returned to Sporting last season and continued his form by helping them to a league for the first time in many years. Palhinha has also made progress for the national side, establishing himself as a prominent member. He was also a part of the Portugal side during the Euros. Hence, it was no surprise that a trio of Premier League clubs such as Tottenham, Everton and Wolves were after him.

Palhinha had a release clause of £51million which meant that they had offers of £25million turned down. Now, Spurs could be about to lose any chase of getting the player as Sporting are set to reward the 26-year-old defensive midfielder with a new deal and a pay rise. Whether or not that would increase the release clause is not mentioned.

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Tottenham did add Pape Sarr over the summer but they will feel that Palhinha escaped their hands. It is understandable, though, given that the release clause was a rather substantial one given the pandemic affected the situation.