‘Final stages’ – Tottenham in ‘advanced’ talks to sign £26m star after agreeing on personal terms
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Bayern Munich midfielder João Palhinha, according to well-known transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano. The North London club have been actively working behind the scenes to strengthen their squad this summer, and it appears they are now making serious progress in their pursuit of the Portuguese international.
Despite lifting the UEFA Europa League trophy last season, Spurs made the bold and surprising decision to part ways with Ange Postecoglou. The Australian manager had come under pressure after Tottenham’s dismal domestic campaign, where they finished a disappointing 17th in the Premier League – a result deemed unacceptable by the club’s hierarchy. In response, the club appointed Thomas Frank as the new head coach, bringing in the former Brentford boss to help steer Spurs into a new era.
So far this summer, Tottenham’s transfer activity has been modest, with Ghanaian star Mohammed Kudus being the only new signing. However, Frank has made it clear in recent press conferences that more reinforcements are needed if Spurs are to be competitive across multiple competitions next season – especially with Champions League football on the horizon.
Now, Romano has taken to X (formerly Twitter) to share the latest developments in Tottenham’s pursuit of João Palhinha. According to him, Spurs have been in contact with the player’s representatives for the past two weeks and have now reached an agreement on personal terms. The 30-year-old midfielder is reportedly enthusiastic about returning to the Premier League, where he previously impressed during his time at Fulham. He sees the move as an opportunity to get consistent game time ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a spot in the Portugal squad firmly in his sights.
Tottenham are currently in “advanced negotiations” with Bayern Munich over a deal structured as an initial loan with an option to buy next summer. While the buy clause is not mandatory, it gives Spurs the flexibility to assess Palhinha’s performances before committing to a permanent transfer. As part of the deal, Tottenham will cover the player’s wages during the loan spell.
Romano stated:
> “Tottenham have agreed personal terms with João Palhinha and are in advanced talks with Bayern. Initial loan for Palhinha… and understand the agreement will also include a buy option clause, not mandatory. Spurs will cover his salary, deal at final stages.”
Valued at around £26 million by Transfermarkt, Palhinha had a stellar campaign with Fulham in the Premier League before earning a move to Bayern Munich last summer. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite work out for him in Germany, where he struggled for consistent minutes under Thomas Tuchel and later Vincent Kompany. With competition fierce in Bayern’s midfield and the World Cup looming, Palhinha is eager to find a club where he can be a regular starter once again.
From Tottenham’s perspective, the signing of Palhinha would address a key need. With Yves Bissouma reportedly attracting interest from other clubs and question marks remaining over midfield depth, bringing in an experienced and physically dominant player like Palhinha would be a timely addition. His ability to break up play, shield the back four, and maintain discipline in the middle of the park would be invaluable – particularly in high-stakes Champions League fixtures.
Thomas Frank is expected to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation next season, and Palhinha would fit naturally into one of the holding midfield roles. His Premier League experience and international pedigree make him a low-risk, high-reward signing. Known for his tackling, ball-winning ability, and positional discipline, the Portuguese midfielder would complement more progressive midfielders like Rodrigo Bentancur or Pape Matar Sarr.
Moreover, Palhinha’s leadership and professionalism off the pitch could also benefit the dressing room, especially as Spurs look to rebuild after a turbulent season. The potential to secure him on loan with an option to buy gives Tottenham both short-term reinforcement and long-term flexibility – a smart move in a financially cautious but ambitious transfer strategy.
If the final stages of the deal go smoothly, Spurs could soon announce João Palhinha as their second signing of the summer – a statement of intent as they look to climb back up the Premier League table and make a deep run in Europe under their new manager.