Tottenham Hotspur are quietly laying the groundwork for a midfield overhaul this summer—and a familiar name is back on the radar.
Just a year after Bayern Munich paid big money to snap up Joao Palhinha, Spurs are reportedly circling, hoping to strike a cut-price deal.
A Rough Season for Bayern’s Midfield Man
Palhinha’s time in Germany hasn’t exactly gone to plan.
After a solid rise at Fulham and a high-profile £48 million switch to Bayern Munich last summer, the 30-year-old defensive midfielder struggled to make an impact in the Bundesliga.
Injuries kept him out for over two months, and even when fit, he found himself on the fringes of the squad.
He managed just seven starts across the league campaign and failed to register a single goal or assist in 17 appearances.
Spurs Plot a Midfield Refresh Under New Manager
Tottenham are in transition after a strange season that saw them crash out of domestic competitions but end with a surprise Europa League title.
Despite that European success, manager Ange Postecoglou was shown the door, with ex-Brentford boss Thomas Frank stepping in to take charge.
Now, Frank and the Spurs board are keen to strengthen the midfield—and Palhinha fits the bill.
According to reports from Bild, Tottenham have formally registered their interest in signing him.
Bayern Ready to Offload—and Lowering Their Price
While Bayern shelled out nearly £50 million for Palhinha last year, they’re already open to letting him go—and are willing to take a significant financial hit.
Bild journalist Christian Falk claims the price tag could now be as low as €25–30 million (around £21.6–£25.9 million).
“The price is going down and down,” Falk said. “Bayern want to sell him.
If he leaves, it also opens the door for them to go after Renato Veiga.”
Not the Only Ones Interested
Tottenham aren’t alone in the chase. Arsenal held serious talks about bringing Palhinha to north London earlier this summer, but the two clubs couldn’t agree on a final fee.
Bayern were reportedly willing to sell for around £26 million at that point.
Inter Milan and other clubs across Europe—including in Spain, Turkey, and Portugal—are also said to be monitoring the situation.
Palhinha Still Has Ambitions in Munich
Despite the transfer buzz, Palhinha hasn’t completely given up on making it at Bayern.
According to sources close to the player, he’s still determined to prove himself at the club—though only an “absolutely top offer,” like Arsenal’s, would convince him to move on.
But with Bayern’s midfield already stacked—Leon Goretzka, Aleks Pavlovic, Tom Bischof, and Joshua Kimmich all vying for minutes—there’s no guarantee he’ll get a bigger role this season.
Konrad Laimer, who has filled in at right-back, also competes for midfield spots when needed.
Could a Fulham Reunion Be on the Cards?
Interestingly, Fulham haven’t ruled out the idea of bringing Palhinha back.
After all, he was a fan favorite during his stint in west London from 2022 to 2023, scoring eight goals in 79 appearances.
His move to Bayern only happened after a failed attempt on deadline day in 2023—so there’s some unfinished business there.
What Happens Next?
With the transfer window heating up and Bayern clearly open to talks, Tottenham could be poised to pounce.
Whether Palhinha wants another Premier League run, or chooses to fight for his spot in Munich, will be the next chapter in what’s already been a rollercoaster few years for the Portuguese international.