João Palhinha has made a swift impression in north London, and recent reports suggest Tottenham are already thinking about making his loan signing a permanent one.
After spending an indifferent year with Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich, Spurs, in need of a holding midfielder, moved to sign Palhinha on a season-long loan with a reported option to buy of £27m at the end of the season.
The 30-year-old, who starred in the Premier League with Fulham for two years, was regarded as an astute addition to Thomas Frank's Lilywhites, although some, who believe they know more than most, were quick to get their charts out and laugh at Palhinha's supposed inability to move the ball forward.
And while Palhinha is no Andrea Pirlo at the base of midfield, our issues with ball progression, proven in the win over Villarreal when the Portuguese didn't start, have not solely been down to his drawbacks. Palhinha has mastered the role he's been asked to perform by Frank, and tying him down permanently does seem like a no brainer.
You've voted Joao Palhinha as your Player of the Match from our third round win! 🫶
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 25, 2025
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Palhinha leads the Tottenham squad with an average of five combined tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes this season, and was particularly important during our Gameweek 2 victory at Manchester City, scoring his first goal for the club.
His second strike in Lilywhite was a little bit special, as he acrobatically steered an effort into a semi-open Doncaster Rovers goal to kick-start our 3-0 victory in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday night.
The dependable Palhinha impressed alongside Kevin Danso at centre-back in the week, and reports of Spurs' interest in securing his services permanently emerged in the aftermath. Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook have suggested the club are "already inclined" to take up the £27m option, with Palhinha keen on remaining with the north Londoners.
“It’s a great club, really nice environment in our stadium," Palhinha told the Sky Sports One podcast (via The Spurs Express on X) earlier this week. "Even when we play away, it’s always great to feel the support from our crowd. I’m really glad to be here. Me and my family, we are enjoying this first month in this new shirt, so I just want to keep enjoying the club.”
He's fully COYS, quickly developing an excellent rapport with the manager, who fully trusts him. There's doubtless a need to add a passer to Spurs' currently stodgy build-up, but folk of Palhinha's profile don't grow on trees either. While we've got one, we may as well hang on to him.