Joao Palhinha current rank among Tottenham’s highest earners this season
João Palhinha is on the verge of joining Tottenham Hotspur in what could be a significant boost to their midfield ahead of the new Premier League campaign. The Portuguese international is expected to arrive in North London on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich, and if the deal goes through as anticipated, he will immediately become one of the club’s highest-paid players.
This move comes at a critical time for Spurs, whose transfer momentum seemed to stall after a promising start to the summer window. Supporters were left frustrated when a deal for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White collapsed at the final hurdle. Forest opted to remove the attacking midfielder from the market, offering him a new long-term deal instead, much to the disappointment of Tottenham’s recruitment team. However, the club now appears to have turned its attention to bolstering another key area of the squad — the midfield — and the addition of Palhinha could serve as a statement of renewed intent.
Loan Deal Structure and Financial Implications
According to multiple reputable sources, including Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Tottenham have agreed to take Palhinha on a one-year loan deal, with the full cost of his wages covered by the club. The deal also includes an option to buy the 30-year-old midfielder for £26 million at the end of the season — a figure considered reasonable for a player of his quality and experience.
This arrangement mirrors a similar deal Tottenham struck with Bayern Munich earlier in the year for Mathys Tel. The young French forward initially joined Spurs on a loan basis in January before making a permanent switch this summer. The success of that arrangement likely played a role in convincing both clubs to pursue a similar route with Palhinha.
A Lucrative Contract for the Portuguese Midfielder
Palhinha, who joined Bayern Munich last summer from Fulham, currently earns a base salary of €192,308 per week, which converts to approximately £166,725. This figure, sourced from salary-tracking platform Capology, places him among the highest earners in the Tottenham squad. In fact, if the deal is finalized under the current financial terms, Palhinha would become the third highest-paid player at Spurs, trailing only Heung-min Son (£190,000/week) and James Maddison (£170,000/week). He would narrowly edge out Cristian Romero, who is believed to earn around £165,000 per week.
This level of remuneration likely explains why Tottenham opted for a loan move rather than an immediate permanent signing. Committing to such a high salary long-term for a player who is already 30 years old carries inherent risks, especially in a squad undergoing transformation under new manager Thomas Frank.
While Bayern Munich were reportedly open to a permanent sale from the outset, Spurs exercised caution, likely wanting to evaluate Palhinha’s performance and durability over the course of a full Premier League season before making a final decision. There’s also the matter of squad dynamics — integrating a high earner into the wage structure can disrupt internal balance if not handled carefully.
Should Palhinha impress and Tottenham opt to make the deal permanent next summer, it’s possible the club may revisit the terms of his contract. A potential wage reduction could be on the table if Spurs want to retain him without stretching their financial model too far.
From a tactical standpoint, Palhinha is expected to bring much-needed steel and positional discipline to Tottenham’s midfield. His experience in the Premier League — having previously impressed at Fulham — gives him an edge, and his combative style and reading of the game could provide the perfect balance to more attack-minded players like Maddison and Kudus.
What Palhinha Brings to Thomas Frank’s Midfield
Known for his physical presence, ball-winning abilities, and consistency in shielding the backline, Palhinha could become a key figure under Thomas Frank, who is still putting his imprint on the team after replacing Ange Postecoglou. The Danish manager, who arrived earlier this summer, has already secured the services of Mohammed Kudus and Kota Takai, but Palhinha would bring a very different profile — more defensive-minded, more experienced, and more of a traditional holding midfielder.
If all goes to plan, Palhinha’s addition would not only address a major squad need but also bring added leadership and experience to a relatively youthful Tottenham team. His arrival could also free up others in midfield to take on more creative responsibilities, knowing they have a reliable anchor behind them.
In summary, Tottenham Hotspur appear to be making a bold yet calculated move with João Palhinha. The financial commitment is significant, but the structure of the deal gives the club flexibility while potentially reaping the rewards of a proven Premier League performer. If Palhinha adapts well and helps guide Spurs back into the European qualification picture, a permanent move next summer could become a no-brainer — provided both parties agree on the financials.