Tottenham have set their sights on signing Joao Palhinha and talks are ongoing with Bayern Munich over a possible loan agreement for the midfielder.
Palhinha will have been itching to make up for lost time having joined Bayern in a £47.4million transfer from Fulham, 12 months after seeing a proposed deal collapse.
But Palhinha was hampered by injuries across a frustrating debut season last term at the Allianz Arena and managed a total of just six league starts across Bayern’s title-winning campaign.
Having found himself below Leon Goretzka, Aleks Pavlovic, Joshua Kimmich and Konrad Laimer in the pecking order by the end of the season, the 30-year-old is now deemed surplus to requirements.
The recent arrival of Tom Bischof from Hoffenheim only adds more uncertainty to Palhinha’s situation and there is a real possibility the Portugal international could be on the move again before the transfer deadline comes around.
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According to The Athletic, Palhinha has been made ‘available’ by Bayern and Spurs are keeping close tabs on developments, with new head coach Thomas Frank pushing for reinforcements in midfield.
The report claims Tottenham and Bayern have picked up negotiations again having agreed a permanent deal for Mathys Tel – following an initial loan move – this summer.
Palhinha would follow Mohammed Kudus, Luka Vuskovic and Kota Takai through the doors at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to become Spurs’ fourth new recruit of the transfer window.
Earlier this month, reports emanating out of Germany claimed Arsenal were interested in Palhinha and had held ‘serious’ discussions to sign the Bayern misfit prior to the Club World Cup.
Serie A giants Inter Milan have also been heavily linked with Palhinha, while top teams in Spain, Turkey and Portugal are also said to be monitoring developments.
But during a recent interview with Portuguese outlet Sport TV, Palhinha insisted he remained committed to his contract with Bayern, which runs through to June 2028.
‘I have a contract for three more years, so I’ll report for duty on July 29, which is when we start this pre-season,’ he said.
‘As I’ve said several times, and it’s been a recurring question, I have three more years on my contract.’
Palhinha admitted there was some uncertainty over his future, but is determined to ‘prove his worth’ after a disappointing first year in German football.
He added: ‘I don’t know what will happen, but I’m at a great club, as I’ve always said, he added.
‘Obviously, it hasn’t been an easy year, but as soon as the season starts, I’m very motivated to prove my worth once again at a very special club, a huge club.’
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