Tottenham Hotspur survived Premier League relegation with a 1-0 win over Everton on the final Matchday of the 2025/26 season, finally putting destiny in their own hands and making good on it. There were a number of heroes who emerged down the stretch for new manager Roberto De Zerbi, who finally got Spurs to play with a real fire and self belief instead of wilting away like lifeless cowards under Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor.
One of the most revived players in the final couple of weeks was defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha. The warrior at the 6 was initially a succces story in his return to the Premier League from a loan deal with Bayern Munich, but under Frank, he, like so many others, withered away and became a liability, particularly on the ball.
But in the end, Palhinha was a massive asset, showing leadership, a clutch factor in front of goal, improved security in possession, and that elite dogged defensive effort that once made him one of the best players in his role in English football while at Fulham before the failed move to Bayern.
Tottenham are close to potentially losing a hero
Publicly, Roberto De Zerbi has been singing his praises and making it obvious he wants Tottenham Hotspur to sign Joao Palhinha permanently from Bayern Munich for the 25-30 million euro option to buy clause, but, unfortunately for him, he may not have that choice.
Portuguese outlets continue to bang the drum of Palhinha wanting a return to Portugal into his 30s, and A Bola are the latest to report that one of the country's powerhouse clubs in the capital, Sporting CP, are still driving hard for the defensive midfielder. In fact, A Bola are reporting that Palhinha and Sporting are close to reaching an agreement and that Sporting are working with Bayern to find a financial solution to the deal.
Now, anyone would think reasonably that if Tottenham have the option to buy clause and had Palhinha on loan, that they would have the right of first refusal to take that clause. And then they could be the ones to sell to Sporting if the Portuguese giants want him that badly. You would also think that after Palhinha became such a heroic figure down the stretch of the relegation fight and with the emotions of keeping them up with a winner - and being wanted by De Zerbi - that he would want to stay with a massive club like Spurs.
But nothing is that simple in football. Palhinha gets to choose what he wants, and if he wants to play in Europe again and go back to his home country to finish up his career, then Spurs won't stand in his way. They will have other options.
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