Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Sat 30 May 2026 16:00, UK

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Tottenham Hotspur‘s chiefs are faltering in a move to sign Joao Palhinha permanently and thus risking making Roberto De Zerbi angry just a week after they avoided relegation.

Bayern Munich loanee Palhinha became a regular under De Zerbi towards the end of the season as Spurs battled valiantly against relegation from the Premier League.

He scored several key goals from central midfield to win Tottenham fans over, and is keen to join permanently as they aim to renegotiate his £27million option-to-buy clause.

The 30-year-old has no future at Bayern, but a full-time move to North London seems uncertain as it stands as he moves closer to returning to Sporting CP.

Italian boss De Zerbi is a keen admirer of Palhinha and wants to be backed this summer, but Tottenham’s lack of transfer activity could be set to anger him before the transfer window even opens.

Joao Palhinha willing to take pay cut as permanent Sporting move edges ever closer

Palhinha divided many fans’ opinions before De Zerbi arrived, but looked a completely different player in the latter stages of the campaign.

His commanding presence was complemented well by Conor Gallagher’s energy, and the Portugal star scored vital goals to keep them up against Wolves and Everton.

De Zerbi spoke of his admiration for the 30-year-old and desire to keep him permanently after his final-day winner against the Toffees, saying: “Joao Palhinha is a great example. He’s on loan here, but he’s one of the first players to start here, and as we look to rebuild next season.”

The ball is now firmly in the court of Tottenham’s board to broker a permanent deal for Palhinha, but they are now at risk of losing out in the race for his services.

Portuguese outlet A Bola have claimed that Sporting are confident of agreeing a deal with Bayern to sign Palhinha permanently, and he is willing to take a pay cut for the move to happen.

There is a feeling within each party involved that a move for him to return to his boyhood club will be agreed soon, which is bad news for Spurs’ chiefs.

De Zerbi could not have been clearer in hinting at wanting to keep Palhinha in his squad for next season, yet they are set to miss out before the transfer window even opens.

The Italian is already a notoriously stubborn manager to deal with in similar situations, and they are risking burning bridges with him as the joy of surviving relegation begins to wear off.

What has Palhinha said about staying at Tottenham?

Sources have told Football Insider that Palhinha is keen to stay at Spurs, and he admitted as much after their survival was confirmed due to his goal against Everton.

He said: “Since the first day I arrived I feel at home. From the supporters, the crowd. Top club. Who doesn’t want to play for Tottenham and stay here? I have everything here.

“But this is like a marriage. What I can say to you is I would really like to be here and I enjoy it a lot this season with this club – even with it being a tough season.

“I think the next season will hopefully be really different and I truly believe. This season will help Tottenham for the future. Analyse the season, what we did wrong, what we did well and it will be a big improvement and a big relief after the season.”

He has, however, hinted at a longer stay being off the table on Instagram in the last few days, so Spurs could well be resigned to losing a player that their manager very clearly wanted to keep.