After the dramatic events that saw a deal for Morgan Gibbs-White fall through, many were wondering where Tottenham Hotspur went next.
Do they try and sign another player of that profile?
Or, given they’re pretty stacked in that position, do they look elsewhere?
It appears to be the latter.
According to Florian Plettenberg, Spurs are on the verge of signing Joao Palhinha.
The deal will be a loan with an option to buy.
That feels like very good business from Thomas Frank’s side.
Spurs have several types of deeper midfielders, with different qualities.
The passing of Yves Bissouma. The ability in tight spaces of Rodrigo Bentancur.
As well as the box-to-box energy of Pape Sarr.
But they don’t have a player of Palhinha’s qualities.
Although Sarr is a very tenacious player – again – he is better as a box-to-box.
They don’t have that pure destroyer, number six profile.
During his two seasons in England, Palhinha averaged 4.2 and 4.6 tackles per game.
The most anyone else averaged in that time was 3.8. The most anyone averaged last season was 3.6. (SofaScore).
This sort of ball winning will allow their other midfielders to play.
He has limitations on the ball, but he knows his limitations.
Unlike some other players, he doesn’t think he’s better on the ball than he is.
Simply put – he will win the ball off better players, and give the ball to other players.
That is exactly what Tottenham Hotspur need. Someone to put out fires.
They have gone three straight seasons conceding more than 60 Premier League goals.
For that to stop, you need a player like Palhinha.
Sure, not the sexiest signing ever. But a seriously smart one. Especially on a loan.
🚨⚪️ EXCL | Joao #Palhinha is on the verge of joining Tottenham Hotspur on loan. Negotiations are very advanced.
Only final details remain between Palhinha and Tottenham. An agreement between FC Bayern and Tottenham is almost complete.
Contract with Bayern remains valid until… pic.twitter.com/ZQDhuSu2nH
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) July 31, 2025
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