Credit: Imago

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Sun 3 May 2026 7:45, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Joao Palhinha is likely to stay at Tottenham Hotspur beyond this season if they can renegotiate the terms of his loan deal and survive relegation from the Premier League.

Palhinha’s quality has been questioned by fans and pundits throughout this season as Spurs have struggled near the bottom the top flight.

The 30-year-old Bayern Munich loanee has popped up with some key moments in their battle for survival, though, with a late winner against Wolves last weekend to keep them close to safety.

Tottenham hold a £25million option to buy Palhinha this summer, but as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, they want to lower that figure before signing him permanently.

The next month will be vital to Tottenham’s transfer plans, and he is not likely to stick around if they suffer relegation to the second tier.

Tottenham want to sign Joao Palhinha for less than £25m if they stay up

Palhinha was regarded as one of the best holding midfielders in the Premier League during his time at Fulham, but his stocks have fallen in the last two seasons.

Spurs’ fanbase remains divided over signing him this summer, with the club aiming to lower his transfer fee before securing his services permanently if they survive relegation.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “Right now, Palhinha’s future remains uncertain. It probably will depend on whether Spurs can secure Premier League safety.

“They do have an option in there to sign him on a permanent basis from Bayern Munich as part of that loan deal.

“I think they paid a decent loan fee with that option (to buy) in there for around £25million. So for Spurs, if they can renegotiate that and get it on lower terms, it’s maybe a deal that they will be interested in.

“If Spurs stay up and they can renegotiate that buy option, then there’s a real opportunity that Palhinha could extend to stay.”

Coventry City line up James Maddison move after Championship promotion

Maddison has spent the entirety of this season on the sidelines after tearing his ACL, but is currently closing in on a return to action when Tottenham need him most.

The 29-year-old is one of several Spurs stars facing an uncertain future as they battle against relegation, with an exit looking likely if they do go down.

Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Coventry want to sign Maddison this summer as they prepare to return to the top flight under Frank Lampard.

Maddison was born and raised in Coventry and started his career at the club as a youngster, so a move could appeal, but it remains to be seen if it would be financially viable.