Not what Roberto De Zerbi wanted!
Tottenham have been busy in the summer transfer window – but one deal will not happen. Spurs are in the middle of their biggest ever trade window, with over £235 million spent so far – more than any other club in the world this summer.
Read: Jürgen Klopp has signed a deal in principle
Manager Roberto De Zerbi has been given full backing after keeping the north London club in the Premier League, and there are no signs of the activity slowing down. Spurs are now looking for reinforcements in attack – probably a winger, and potentially a striker, before the window closes.
But one dream is not coming true for De Zerbi.
Tottenham turn down Palhinha
Despite previous negotiations, Tottenham will not sign João Palhinha – who impressed greatly during a loan spell at the club last season. The Portuguese international was among the few bright spots in an otherwise weak Spurs season, but the club chose not to trigger the £25.9 million purchase option.
A lower sum was discussed, but Bayern Munich held their ground. Meanwhile, Spurs signed two expensive midfielders – Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes – and with that, any possibility of a Palhinha deal disappeared.
German journalist confirms: “100 percent dead”
German journalist Christian Falk is crystal clear:
“The talks with Tottenham about João Palhinha are 100 percent dead. Palhinha also wanted to return to Portugal, and Sporting Lisbon are very interested. The problem is that Bayern want to sell, while Sporting want a loan with an option to buy.
“Bayern are firm: they want the money now. They had expected €30-35 million from Tottenham, but Spurs don’t want to pay. Now Bayern have to find the money elsewhere, and a loan is not the ideal solution for them. So this will take time,” says Falk.
De Zerbi wanted to keep him – but then came Tonali and Fernandes
At the end of last season, De Zerbi said of Palhinha:
“I want to keep him 100 percent. We must start with these types of people. More than players, we need reliable people. Palhinha is one of the best – as a player, but also as a person. I want to see the same passion, attitude, spirit and personality. We are lucky to have him.
But when he spoke, he didn’t know that Tonali and Fernandes were going to come in. Both are top-class options, and with Pape Matar Sarr, Conor Gallagher and Rodrigo Bentancur already in the squad, there is simply no room for Palhinha anymore.
Tottenham continue their hunt – but without the Portuguese
Spurs have set a record in trading, but one dream has been put to rest. Palhinha will not be a Spurs player – and the way forward for the Portuguese is likely to be via Bayern or a return to Portugal. While Tottenham continue to act, the chapter on the midfield star is definitely closed.
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