Spurs initiate negotiations for a midfielder following collapse of negotiations with Arsenal, allegedly confirmed by report
Tottenham Secure Loan Deal for Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich
Joao Palhinha, a midfielder who previously was a target for Arsenal, is set to join Tottenham Hotspur on loan for the 2025/26 season, with an option for the London club to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season.
The loan deal was confirmed by both clubs, with Tottenham securing the services of Palhinha for around £27 million. This move comes as Tottenham search for a replacement for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who left the club last summer.
Palhinha joined Bayern Munich from Fulham in July 2024 but struggled for playing time due to injuries and the coaching preferences of Vincent Kompany. With limited starts, Bayern agreed that a loan to Tottenham would be the best solution, allowing Palhinha to get regular playing time at the highest level.
The deal for Palhinha could resemble the recent loan-to-permanent deal that Tottenham concluded with Bayern Munich for Mathys Tel. However, the specific terms for a potential loan-to-permanent deal for Palhinha have not been disclosed.
Tottenham are favoring a loan deal for Palhinha over a permanent transfer, as they retain flexibility in their squad building this summer. The deal is not imminent or confirmed, but discussions are ongoing.
The addition of Palhinha to the Tottenham midfield could prove beneficial, as the club lacks grit in the middle of the park since Hojbjerg's departure. Teenager Archie Gray is expected to fill the midfield role eventually, but for now, Tottenham might need a Premier League veteran like Palhinha.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have secured the services of Martin Zubimendi as their headline midfield signing. The Gunners reportedly explored the possibility of signing Palhinha, but the deal did not materialize.
In the opinion of the article's website, Palhinha is not a spectacular signing but could be beneficial for Tottenham. The Portuguese midfielder has a market value of €30m according to Transfermarkt, and he joins a Bayern Munich squad where Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, and Konrad Laimer are among the midfielders ahead of him in the pecking order.
References: [1] Tottenham confirm loan signing of Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich [2] Joao Palhinha loan to Tottenham confirmed [3] Tottenham sign Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich
In the upcoming 2025/26 season, Joao Palhinha, a loan acquisition from Bayern Munich, will join Tottenham Hotspur – a move that could address the club's midfield shortcomings following Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's departure. Despite the recent surge in European leagues, Arsenal were unable to secure Palhinha's services, with Martin Zubimendi becoming their headline midfield signing instead.