Tottenham need to be careful as they look to get the best possible deal for Joao Palhinha this summer. Spurs are in the midst of a busy summer as they look to become a side that can qualify for Europe next season despite having only narrowly avoided relegation in the campaign just gone.
Significant recruitment is going to be required to overhaul this squad, and we are likely to see exits by the time the season rolls around. But one player Roberto De Zerbi definitely does want to keep around is Palhinha.
Spurs walking the wire with Palhinha
Palhinha was one of the few consistent performers for Spurs in the season just gone. He is an experienced Premier League operator who is going to give you at least a 7 out of 10 almost every week.
Fortunately for Spurs, they have an option to buy built into the loan deal worth just £26million, keeping in mind Bayern Munich spent £47million to sign him from Fulham.
And De Zerbi is firmly in favour of the deal, saying late in the season: "I love Palhinha! If I see passionate players I become crazy! 100% I want to keep him [at Tottenham}. We need reliable people and reliable players, Palhinha is one of the best!"
But Spurs sense there may be room for even more of a bargain, and they are said to be trying to reduce the fee even further. That's a cheeky move for Tottenham, and they are going to have to be careful.
Palhinha is attracting interest from other clubs, and those clubs may well be willing to pay the £26million, even though the holding midfielder is now 30 years of age.
Spurs have the inside track as things stand, but when that option expires, Palhinha will be back on the market, with Bayern having full control over his future. Clearly, talks are ongoing, and that is a positive, but Spurs need to be careful.
Palhinha is a proven commodity who has proven he fits in at Spurs. He is a plug and play option, and there aren't too many of those available, and especially not for affordable fees. Spurs already need to replace Yves Bissouma this summer, and they are going to have to spend money to do it.
But they have a relatively cheap option there in Palhinha, and should they let it pass them by, they are going to bitterly regret it, given how much an alternative is likely to cost. A number of clubs need holding midfielders this summer, with Manchester United in the market, while Chelsea could be forced into the market if Enzo Fernandez goes. Arsenal are looking for a box-to-box midfielders and there are going to be others.
Spurs need to snap up Palhinha, and while it is always wise to save some cash, it may not be worth it if there is any risk of being beaten to the punch.
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