This past summer transfer window, Tottenham Hotspur mostly focused on bolstering the attack for new manager Thomas Frank. They signed a top class winger in Mohammed Kudus, spent nearly a record fee on midfielder Xavi Simons, signed Mathys Tel permanently from Bayern Munich in case he becomes the next big thing up front, and they even acquired striker Randal Kolo Muani on loan from PSG on transfer deadline day.
But quietly, Spurs best value ploy of the summer window was the loan acquisition of Joao Palhinha, who has scored a couple of important goals and been a major defensive presence in the middle of the park. Tottenham need some veteran steel and an elite ball winner in the middle of the park, and Palhinha has provided plenty of that.
A standout for Spurs at the beginning of the season, Palhinha was playing so well that even though he is already 30 years old, he's been so fresh and full of hard work as a high impact defensive midfielder that just about every Spurs supporter was in favor of making his transfer stay in North London a permanent one via his 30 million euro buy option. And all the transfer rumors were pointing in that direction.
Other clubs are circling
The tides may be turning against Palhinha now, though, as the Spurs midfield is starting to look one dimensional, and Spurs fans are wondering if spending on a 30 year old midfielder who can't pass or meaningfully add to the attack or build up play is worth it. Palhinha's defensive impact may be worth the hit offensively, but for the price of 30 million euros, maybe that tips the balance of the scales against the Portuguese international.
Spurs may be having those second thoughts, too. Because according to reporting from BILD, via BuLiNews.com, Tottenham Hotspur still aren't completely sold on Palhinha and don't know if they want to keep the veteran Bayern Munich man on a permanent basis. And there are reportedly other clubs around Europe and Spain and Italy who are watching his situation.
Tottenham have a tough choice to make here. Palhinha is a good footballer who is amazing on defense but pretty bad offensively. He's not the kind of player elite clubs in Europe usually start and fits the profile of a Europa League level team in Spain or Italy better, which is probably why those are the teams inching close to him with Spurs indecisive.