Transfer News: Tottenham Hotspur set to make opening bid for Sporting CP midfielder Joao Palhinha
According to Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Noticias (h/t Football.London), Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte is determined to boost his midfield contingent and has shortlisted Sporting Lisbon star Joao Palhinha as a potential option.
Joao Palhinha has burst onto the scene in recent seasons, making himself an important part of Sporting Lisbon’s midfield. The 26-year-old star has enjoyed an effective spell in the holding midfield with his ability to read the game and pass the ball under pressure. The Portuguese star has also become a regular for his national team in recent months.
Palhinha remained on the radar of Tottenham Hotspur throughout last year. Now, it is believed that the North London team are set to make their first move by registering a bid ‘within the month‘.
Spurs manager Antonio Conte is eyeing boosting his midfield depth at the end of the season and sees Palhinha as an ‘ideal’ candidate for the role.
How can Palhinha help Spurs?
After losing Moussa Sissoko in the summer of 2021, Tottenham offloaded Tanguy Ndombélé, Dele Alli and Giovani Lo Celso in the last winter transfer window. While the Englishman was sold to Everton, the Argentine and the Frenchman are currently on loan.
In contrast, Spurs only secured Rodrigo Bentancur as a central midfielder in the January window. Naturally, a void has been created in the midfield contingent that requires attention. Oliver Skipp’s recent injury also goes to show the lack of options we currently have if a senior midfielder gets sidelined.
In Palhinha, Spurs would have a midfielder who is adept at shielding the defenders and can even slot in as a centre-back if and when needed. Our fans would recall that Eric Dier came from the same club back in the summer of 2014. He started off as a defensive midfielder but is now a centre-back for us.
The Portuguese might not have experience in the Premier League, but he has earned enough top-flight expertise while playing for Sporting. At 26, he is quite arguably in the prime years of his career.
More Tottenham Hotspur News
- Tottenham Hotspur forward Steven Bergwijn is open to a return to the Netherlands due to a lack of game time
- Tottenham Hotspur are keeping a close eye on West Ham United star Tomas Soucek
- Conte reveals what he told Tottenham Hotspur striker Son Heung-min before his stunner against Leicester City
Tottenham’s transfer approach suggests that they are determined to secure the move of the 26-year-old as soon as possible. Hopefully, our club lures him away before any top tier team sniffs the midfielder’s quality.
