The loanee has become a key player for Tottenham under new boss Roberto De Zerbi.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Premier League survival fight is now back in their own hands after a crucial 2-1 win over Aston Villa. That result, coupled with West Ham’s defeat to Brentford last weekend, saw Spurs move out of the bottom three.
Regardless of the club’s status at the end of May, a major rebuild is expected in North London, with fresh faces likely to walk through the corridors of N17. Having signed a lucrative five-year contract, Roberto De Zerbi will oversee that rebuild in the summer. The Italian has already made it clear that he wants to keep Joao Palhinha beyond this season.
Joao Palhinha joined Tottenham on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich in August 2025. He has struggled to maintain consistency in his game after a bright start to the season. The defensive midfielder’s winning goal against Wolves helped Tottenham secure their first Premier League win of 2026, and following De Zerbi’s recent words, it looks like he has turned his N17 career around.
Ben Jacobs provides fresh update on Joao Palhinha’s future at Tottenham
According to GIVEMESPORT’s senior correspondent Ben Jacobs, Palhinha is keen to stay at Tottenham even if they get relegated.
“Joao Palhinha has kind of come full circle. So, it’s very difficult to predict. In the first few months, Tottenham were adamant they were going to trigger the option to buy because he started really well, then it tapered off, and it was trending towards not signing him permanently,” Ben Jacobs exclusively told GIVEMESPORT.
“Now, in these last few games and under De Zerbi, the mood has shifted again. What I can tell you with Palhinha is, if it’s up to the player, he wants to stay, and that will likely also be the case, even if Tottenham go down, because Palhinha’s move to Tottenham was about returning to England. It was about being in London.
“There’s family reasons why he wants to stay, too. So, Tottenham can feel very in control of that situation, because Palhinha doesn’t, I’m told, fall into the category of a player that will just want to jump ship.”
Boost for Tottenham
Palhinha is getting back to his old self at the most crucial juncture of the campaign, as Spurs aim to maintain their top-flight status. With several key members of the squad ruled out for the rest of the season, the Portugal international’s form, fitness and experience will be key for De Zerbi’s side in their bid for survival.
The 30-year-old loan with Spurs will expire this June, and it has been suggested that he wants to continue at the club, regardless of the outcome at the end of the season. This should come as a big boost for Tottenham when renegotiating a fee with Bayern Munich.
Spurs do hold an option to sign the Portuguese enforcer for €25-€30m fee. As Bayern want to get rid of the player permanently, Palhinha’s commitment and loyalty could prove decisive when it comes down to negotiations between the clubs. Having found a new lease of life under De Zerbi, the midfielder would want to finish the season strongly by guiding Tottenham to safety.