Nani wants Manchester United to sign Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Joao Palhinha
It is fair to say most of Tottenham Hotspur’s summer signings have managed to hit the ground running under boss Thomas Frank. However, one player who has arguably impressed the most is Joao Palhinha.
Signing on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich, Joao Palhinha has been a difference-maker in the Lilywhites’ midfield this season. He has anchored the midfield with his reading of the game, experience, passing ability and ball-winning skills. Not only has he made an impact while protecting the backline, but also the Portugal international has contributed at the offensive end of the pitch with three goals and an assist in 15 appearances.
No wonder, the 30-year-old is one of the first names on Thomas Frank’s teamsheet. Palhinha has drawn a fair amount of praise since making the move from Bayern Munich, with former England goalkeeper Joe Hart hailing Tottenham’s deal to sign Palhinha. The defensive midfielder has already won over the fans with several commanding displays, and going by his early impressions, it seems highly likely that the Europa League champions will move quickly to sign him permanently from Bayern.
Manchester United urged to sign Palhinha next year
Palhinha was a star performer for Fulham before moving to Bayern in 2024, where a move did not work out. Back in the Premier League, he has adapted to Thomas Frank’s system seamlessly at Tottenham, quickly becoming a fan favourite.
Now, former Portugal international Nani, who played alongside Palhinha at Sporting CP and the national team, has urged Manchester United to sign the 30-year-old next year.
“Joao Palhinha is a great player. I played with him at Sporting, where he was growing and learning a lot. After a few years, he became one of the best players in his position,” Nani told Covers.com (h/t The Metro).
“He’s very strong and talented at winning and recovering the ball, and tackling. He’s also improved his forward play, scoring goals, connecting with the team, and moving forward with the ball. He’s become a complete player in his position.
“I think he’s a great player and can do really well for Tottenham. He had an opportunity with Bayern and we’re not sure what will happen next season, but he’s a player who can play for any team in the world. He just needs to be consistent and fit, as injuries sometimes cause problems. I trust he will have a fantastic career.
“He is a player with energy, with power to recover balls and to fight, that is something that fits into Man United’s DNA. Having players who are able first to fight on the field, like to recover the ball and challenge opponents to help the team win games.
“You can’t give your opponents any time in the Premier League and he has the energy and physical abilities to be such an asset for anyone.”
Palhinha is at home in north London
Nani wants his former club Manchester United to sign Palhinha, and rightly so. Casemiro will turn 34 in February and is out of contract at the end of the season, and someone in the ilk of Palhinha could become a fantastic stop-gap replacement for the Brazilian. Plus, the 30-year-old has worked under Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP and could immediately strike a chord with him at Man United.
However, Palhinha looks settled at Tottenham, overcoming a difficult stint at Bayern. The Hotspur Way chiefs want to sign him permanently and are ready to meet the German side’s £27m asking price to keep him beyond the season. Having become the beating heart of the side, the player is also keen to extend his stay in the white half of north London.
As things stand, Palhinha does not look like leaving Spurs in search of a new home, crushing Nani’s hopes of seeing him in a United shirt.
