Tottenham Hotspur have started looking closely at João Palhinha, the Portuguese defensive midfielder currently playing at Bayern Munich.
They’ve already made initial contact with his people, though no official offer has gone in yet. It’s early days, but things could pick up soon.
Sources close to the player say he’s open to a return to the Premier League after a frustrating season in Germany. While he’s not pushing for a move just yet, Spurs are keeping a close eye and have started conversations with his camp.
The club’s new manager, Thomas Frank, is said to be a fan of the player, having seen him up close during his time in the Premier League with Fulham.
Frank has made it clear to the Spurs board that the midfield needs more strength and control. Palhinha, on paper, ticks those boxes.
But is this the right signing at the right time? Let’s dig into why Spurs are interested, what the risks are, and how this could actually go down.
Why Palhinha Could Be a Good Signing for Spurs
Tottenham’s midfield had a few good games last season, but they also struggled, especially in the big matches. Bissouma and Bentancur did well, but it was much for them alone. Højbjerg looks like he’s leaving, and Skipp is not a regular starter.
Palhinha is a completely different type of midfielder, he doesn’t try to do too much. He plays a simple game. He knows how to win the ball, stop attacks, and help in midfield.
At Fulham, he was known for making good tackles. In the 2022–23 season, he had more tackles than anyone else and helped the team do well. The fans even picked him as their best player that year.
He’s not the kind of player who does tricks or grabs attention, but he’s solid and dependable, the kind of midfielder Spurs haven’t really had since Mousa Dembélé left.
Frank wants a reliable player who can bring balance to the side, and Palhinha fits that mold.
“He’s the type of player who makes everyone around him better,” one Fulham fan said in an old Match of the Day clip. “You only notice him when he’s not there.”
What Happened at Bayern?
Palhinha joined Bayern Munich in 2024. He did well at first. But he got injured early in the season. It was hard for him to get back into the starting lineup. By the end of the season, he only started six league games. Not what anyone expected when Bayern paid over €50 million to sign him from Fulham.
It wasn’t all down to him. Bayern were dealing with coaching changes, rotation issues, and squad depth problems. When he did play, he looked solid. But missing over 15 games across all competitions didn’t help.
According to German outlet Kicker, Bayern are now open to selling him for around £22 million, nearly half of what they paid. That’s a big hit, but with age and injuries catching up, they know his value will only drop further if he stays.
Spurs Have Competition But They’re Leading the Race
Manchester United and West Ham have both been linked. United like his style but have other targets like Manuel Ugarte and Youssouf Fofana.
West Ham are watching, but their midfield seems settled for now after bringing in players like James Ward-Prowse and Edson Álvarez.
That leaves Spurs in a good position. No bidding war just yet, and they’ve already started talks with the player’s camp. If things move quickly, they could have a deal in place by early August.
Football writer Fabrizio Romano confirmed:
“Tottenham have made an initial approach to João Palhinha’s camp. There’s no offer to Bayern yet. Let’s see what happens in the next weeks.”
Could There Be a Swap Deal?
Another option Spurs are considering is a player swap. Bayern like Yves Bissouma and have reportedly asked about him. There’s also been loose talk around Bentancur, though no solid links from German outlets.
If Spurs want to keep costs down, offering Bissouma plus cash could tempt Bayern. It would also solve a squad problem, with Spurs having too many midfielders and needing to trim the wage bill.
Swap deals rarely work out smoothly. Agents, wages and bonuses all gets complicated fast. Unless both players want the move, it usually falls apart. But it’s an option on the table.
Is He Worth Considering His Age and Salary?
At 30, Palhinha is not a long-term investment. He’s probably got 2-3 good seasons left at most, and that’s if he stays injury-free. That’s a risk for any club, especially one trying to rebuild.
On top of that, his wage demands are high. Reports suggest he earns close to £170,000 per week at Bayern. Spurs don’t usually hand out those contracts unless it’s a marquee player.
Would he accept less to return to the Premier League? Maybe. But that’s something the club needs to think about.
Sam Dean of The Telegraph said recently:
“Clubs looking at Palhinha will be cautious. He’s talented but also on the wrong side of 30, and his injury history isn’t great. It has to be the right deal at the right price.”
How Would He Fit into the Spurs Team?
This isn’t the Spurs of five years ago that sat deep and played on the break. Under Thomas Frank, the plan is different. He wants energy in midfield, structure in defense, and quick transitions.
Palhinha brings discipline and positional awareness. He’s not going to dribble past three players, but he will stop counter-attacks and hold the line.
He would likely slot in as the deepest midfielder in a three. That gives more freedom to someone like James Maddison or a returning Giovani Lo Celso. It also allows full-backs to push higher, knowing there’s cover behind.
Imagine a midfield of Palhinha, Maddison, and Pape Matar Sarr. That gives you creativity, youth, and bring something Spurs have missed in recent years.
What Do the Fans Think?
Reactions among Spurs fans are mixed. Some like the idea of bringing in a proper enforcer. Others worry it’s just a short-term fix for a team that’s always thinking about the next rebuild.
One fan on Reddit put it like this:
“Love Palhinha. Hate that it feels like another stopgap. We need to build a core that lasts. But I won’t complain if we finally stop getting bullied in midfield.”
That says it all. People respect what he offers, but there are still doubts about whether he fits into the club’s plans
What Comes Next for Palhinha and Spurs?
Right now, Spurs have made their interest known, but no bid has been submitted to Bayern. That’s expected to change soon, possibly in the next 7–10 days.
If they do move forward, it’s likely to be a straight cash deal, maybe in the region of £25 million. A swap could happen but is more complicated. Bayern are willing to talk, and Palhinha is okay with coming back to England.
Now it depends on how fast Spurs act and whether they can show him it’s the right move for him.
Wanderlustsport Verdict
This is the kind of transfer that makes sense on paper. A team that needs more strength in midfield going after one of the best ball-winners in Europe. It checks the boxes. But the timing, the wages, and the player’s age make it far from a sure thing.
If the price is right and the wages are manageable, Spurs should go for it. He brings leadership, experience, and the kind of steel the team has missed for too long. But if Bayern dig in or Palhinha wants one last big paycheck, Spurs may walk away.
Either way, fans should expect movement soon. This one feels like it’s building toward a resolution.
And if Palhinha does end up in North London, expect a different kind of player than what we’ve seen in recent Spurs midfields. Not flashy and fast. He’s the kind of player who just gets his job done. And sometimes, that’s what a team needs.