£47m midfielder is now keen on returning to London after holding fresh talks with Tottenham this week
Tottenham Hotspur are actively exploring midfield reinforcements this summer, and TBR Football understands that they have entered a fresh round of talks with Bayern Munich’s Portuguese midfielder Joao Palhinha within the past week.
The 30-year-old holding midfielder remains a top target for Spurs as they look to strengthen the spine of their team. After a season of inconsistency and imbalance in the center of the park, the North London club is keen to bring in an experienced, physical presence who can shield the back line and dictate play from deep — a role Palhinha excelled in during his time in the Premier League with Fulham.
While Tottenham are also keeping tabs on Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz, who is reportedly interested in a move to North London and a return to regular Premier League action, Palhinha is emerging as a serious alternative. Former Spurs director of football Fabio Paratici, who remains involved in an advisory capacity, is said to be fully aware of Luiz’s desire to play for Tottenham. However, it appears that the club is not placing all their eggs in one basket.
Palhinha Drops Hint About Spurs Interest
According to sources close to the situation, Palhinha has privately expressed a willingness to return to London — a city where he previously thrived and built a strong reputation during his time at Fulham. TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey reports that the player remains open to a Premier League return and views Tottenham as an appealing destination. The lure of regular playing time and a familiar league appears to be weighing heavily on his decision-making.
In addition to Tottenham’s interest, Inter Milan have also shown admiration for the midfielder, but the player’s apparent preference for a return to the English top flight has tilted the momentum toward Spurs. The club recently held new discussions over the possibility of signing the Portuguese international, and talks are said to have progressed in a positive direction.
Spurs Preparing to Move on From Bissouma
Tottenham’s pursuit of Palhinha comes as the club prepares for the potential departure of Yves Bissouma. The Malian midfielder, who arrived from Brighton with high expectations, has struggled to find consistency and is now seen as expendable. It’s understood that Spurs have informed Bissouma he is free to leave if the right offer comes in — a scenario the player is beginning to accept, though he remains determined to only consider options that align with his personal and professional goals.
The desire to move on from Bissouma has increased the urgency for Tottenham to secure a ready-made replacement, and Palhinha’s profile makes him an ideal candidate. He combines Premier League experience, physicality, and tactical awareness — all qualities that manager Thomas Frank (should he be appointed or advising) reportedly values highly in his ideal midfield setup.
Palhinha’s Bayern Move Yet to Pay Off
Joao Palhinha made a high-profile switch to Bayern Munich last summer for a reported fee of £47 million following a standout campaign with Fulham. However, his time in Germany has not gone according to plan. The Portuguese midfielder struggled to nail down a consistent starting spot under then-manager Thomas Tuchel and now finds himself out of favor with new boss Vincent Kompany. He featured in just 17 Bundesliga matches last season — a far cry from the influential figure he was in the Premier League.
To make matters more complicated, Palhinha’s lack of game time has cost him his place in the Portuguese national team under manager Roberto Martinez. With Euro 2028 qualification and other international tournaments on the horizon, the midfielder is eager to regain regular minutes at the club level to work his way back into the national team setup.
Arsenal Cool Interest as Tottenham Take Lead
Reports from Germany had earlier linked Palhinha with a potential move to Arsenal, but those rumors now appear to have cooled significantly. TBR Football understands that the Gunners have moved in a different direction, recently completing the signing of Christian Norgaard from Brentford for a fee in the region of £15 million.
Sources inside the Emirates Stadium suggest that while Palhinha was considered as part of a shortlist of midfield options, he was never a primary target. With Norgaard now onboard and attention turning to securing Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres — a deal that remains ongoing despite some delays — Arsenal have effectively stepped aside in the Palhinha race.
Tottenham Pushing Ahead
With the Gunners out of the picture and Inter Milan’s interest not yet formalized, Tottenham appear to be in a strong position to push ahead for Palhinha. The club sees him as an immediate upgrade in midfield, someone who can bring both grit and composure to a side that has lacked leadership in the center of the pitch.
Palhinha’s Premier League pedigree, combined with his motivation to get back to top form and reclaim his international place, makes him a highly attractive target. Spurs are now working to finalize terms and ensure they don’t miss out on a player who could become a key figure in their evolving midfield engine.
As the summer window progresses, expect Tottenham to intensify talks as they aim to secure one of their priority signings early — a signal of intent as they prepare for another push for Champions League qualification and domestic success.