Tottenham target playing in Portugal has ‘one foot out’ the door at current club

Transfer News: Tottenham Hotspur battle Manchester United and Atletico Madrid for Sporting Lisbon ace Joao Palhinha

According to Portuguese publication Record [Print Edition] via Sport Witness (h/t The Mirror), Tottenham Hotspur are engaged in a battle with Manchester United and Atletico Madrid for signing Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha.

He has enjoyed a rapid rise over the past year, which has helped him to break into the national team setup. Palhinha has “one foot out” of the door and could be leaving Sporting CP in the near future.

Apart from Tottenham and Man United, Wolverhampton Wanderers have also registered an interest in getting his services, which isn’t really surprising given Wolves’ history with signing Portuguese players in the past few years.

Sevilla are also in the fray as they try to get their hands on the 26-year-old ahead of the competition. Moreover, Sporting have reduced their asking price from approximately £33million to around £25million.

Do we need him?

He has been growing in stature late in his career, which was further backed up when he featured for Portugal in the 2020 Euros. Already 26 years of age, it is safe to say that Palhinha has been a late bloomer.

The Portuguese international was also influential in his side’s run to the Primeira Liga title last season, beating Porto and Benfica Lisbon to the crown. It has been the same this campaign as well as they trail league leaders Porto by 6 points after 19 games.

The Sporting star is often able to shut down opposition attacks by reading the play well and is no slouch when it comes to helping the team progress the ball up the pitch. He is in the prime physical years of his professional career, and makes for a useful potential addition to our squad.

We would also have to be wary of the Red Devils and Los Colchoneros. We cannot push aside Julen Lopetegui’s side either since they have been excellent on the European front, especially in the UEFA Europa League, while the Lilywhites struggle to bring home major silverware since 2008.

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With little time left in the January transfer window, Paratici would need to raise the efforts if he wants to sign the Sporting ace. He is also not the only Primeira Liga player we are targeting, with our recent interest in Porto star Luis Diaz not a secret to anyone.

Whether a move for one or both of them happens this month remains to be seen