The midfielder was key in Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Wolves.
Joao Palhinha may have just delivered one of Tottenham’s most important goals of the season as the Portuguese midfielder propelled the Lilywhites to a much-needed win against Wolves. But that 8/10 performance at Molineux Stadium hasn’t done much to secure his future at Hotspur Way.
Palhinha on a permanent transfer?
Palhinha joined Tottenham on an initial loan transfer last summer after the Lilywhites agreed on a temporary deal with Bayern Munich. His arrival was meant to end the second-phase struggles that Tottenham had experienced for a while.
And he has done so to a point. He has surely brought a sense of composure and physicality in the second phase.
And now as we come into the final weeks of the ongoing season, the focus is shifting to the blueprint of the summer transfer window, and that is where this dilemma comes ashore at Hotspur Way. On one end, there is this opportunity to continue with the former Fulham man, while on the other it is about possibly replacing him with someone younger.
The Lilywhites do have an option to secure his services for a pre-agreed €25-€30m fee. But the North Londoners see that fee as too high to consider a permanent transfer for Palhinha. Though according to a recent report from Sport Witness, Spurs would think about singing him if Bayern were to significantly lower their fee demands.
Tottenham still have a relegation problem
A lot of this also depends on where Tottenham end up in the league. If they are to be relegated into the Championship, then this conversation goes nowhere. It is highly unlikely for Tottenham to spend that kind of money on a 30-year-old if they are relegated.
But if they end up surviving, even then, it doesn’t look like a guarantee for Palhinha’s move to Tottenham.
Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund has been quite public this week about Palhinha, admitting that discussions about his future are on hold at least until the season ends. So they will need to see whether Tottenham will still have that English top-tier status or not.
For Tottenham, they cannot afford expensive mistakes like Palhinha. The 30-year-old would be a high-wages player on the roster, and the club needs to feel that he will give those sorts of outputs regularly on the pitch.
Would you take Palhinha at Tottenham next season if Bayern were not to reduce that €25-30m fee? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.