Tottenham's transfer market ignited last week following the arrivals of Kota Takai and Mohammed Kudus, and hope remains that the deal for Morgan Gibbs-White will eventually go through despite an impending legal procedure.
However, Spurs are yet to address the position that many regarded as a "priority need" entering the summer window.
The midfield was a mess for much of Ange Postecoglou's second season, with the absence of stability from the base playing a key role in the overall dysfunction. It wasn't until Ange shifted to a double pivot during our successful Europa League run that a greater balance was established.
Thomas Frank is likely to start his tenure with a pair of midfielder providing stability in his pivot, but Spurs are still without a crucial profile. The new manager requires a destroyer in his engine room, ideally one that can conduct and create from deep, too. Admittedly, these are not the sorts of players that grow on trees.
Joao Palhinha is one to watch in Tottenham's midfield search
Inter are considering a move for João Palhinha. Bayern would be willing to negotiate a transfer fee of €25-30 million [@altobelli13] pic.twitter.com/0yw2l6KCW1
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) July 15, 2025
A reported cash injection from ENIC means we've got more cash to play with than expected this summer, and our currently ill-fated pursuit of Gibbs-White proved that Daniel Levy is willing to spend and set Frank up for success during his first season in charge.
There's talk of Adam Wharton being on our radar, and, don't get me wrong, that'd be the dream. He's the one. However, Crystal Palace have every right to demand an obscene fee, and I suspect they'd genuinely demand close to nine figures for the classy Englishman.
Alas, Wharton may not be feasible.
However, there are cheaper alternatives on the table. According to Give Me Sport, Bayern Munich's Joao Palhinha is of interest, and he's said to be available for as little as £30m after the Bundesliga champions spent £44m to sign him from Fulham last summer.
Palhinha is not the passer Spurs require, hence why he's struggled at the possession-heavy Bayern, but boy, can he destroy. Despite his subdued season in Germany, the Portuguese international ranked in the 93rd and 96th percentiles for tackles and aerial duels won per 90 minutes, respectively, compared to midfielders in Europe's top five leagues last season.
During his time in the Premier League, Palhinha was a dominant force in Fulham's midfield. In 2023/24, he recorded a league-high 152 tackles to complement 92 interceptions. He also tallied 13 yellow cards, so expect Palhinha to pick up a suspension or three if he was to join the club.
For me, Palhinha sits in the 'market opportunity' bracket alongside Douglas Luiz. They're not ideal profiles, but they'll be hard to ignore given the fees they're supposedly available for.