After saving Tottenham Hotspur from relegation from the Premier League and turning the mentality of the club back around, Roberto De Zerbi will have even more power than anticipated to drive the summer offseason strategy at N17.
Already, De Zerbi was promised by Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham nearly as much power as them in the team's doings as part of the highly attractive package offer to coax the Italian manager into coaching a sinking ship immediately instead of waiting to see their relegation fate play out.
In the early going, De Zerbi has seemingly made it his priority to keep one of the veteran midfielders he has revived in Tottenham. RDZ has publicly praised Joao Palhinha multiple times, and he very much wants the Portuguese international to be a fixture of the club for at least another season, urging Spurs to exercise the 25-30 million euro option to buy clause in his loan deal from Bayern Munich.
Roberto De Zerbi's stance is clear
In his home country, Sporting CP have been showing major interest in stealing Palhinha away from Spurs, and though they are doing their best, Spurs are the ones with the active and valid option to buy clause and can be the ones to exercise their right of first refusal.
As Sporting continue to push for the transfer, Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports News reports that Roberto De Zerbi is continuing to recruit Joao Palhinha to stay. RDZ reportedly had further personal talks with Palhinha amidst the interest from Portugal, doing his best to convince Palhinha. And per Thomas, Spurs are indeed in pole position to keep Palhinha despite the recent complication provided by the Lisbon based powers.
Although Palhinha was crucial to Tottenham by the end of the 2025/26 season in the Premier League relegation fight with shutdown defense, a warrior mentality, and clutch goals, including the winner on Matchday 38 against Everton in a brilliant all around perforamnce, many Spurs fans are skeptical about keeping Palhinha.
The Portuguese international is an amazing ball winner, but his positioning and shielding are not always great. He is also a liability on the ball against better teams, and Spurs fans are wondering why De Zerbi wants him when he is not a progressive passer or a. traditional tactical fit for what De Zerbi likes doing. But if De Zerbi wants Palhinha that badly, it is hard to see Spurs - or Palhinha, for that matter - telling him no.
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