---
title: "Tottenham Hotspur: Lilywhites set sights on Joao Palhinha"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-hotspur-lilywhites-set-sights-on-joao-palhinha/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2021-08-12T14:05:28Z"
modified: "2021-08-12T14:05:28Z"
---

# Tottenham Hotspur: Lilywhites set sights on Joao Palhinha

**According to a report by O Jogo, via[Sport Witness,](https://sportwitness.co.uk/midfielder-becomes-priority-signing-tottenham-nuno-espirito-santo-approves-transfer/) Tottenham Hotspur and Fabio Paratici have made ‘exploratory contacts’ to sign Portugal international Joao Palhinha following manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s personal approval.**

### The Lowdown: Spurs in centre-midfield hunt?

As per [Paul Brown of The Daily Star](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham-tanguy-ndombele-transfer-news-24739223), Tottenham’s club record signing Tanguy Ndombele is now somewhat unsettled again in north London with his future ‘back in doubt’.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”368197″\]

Indeed, as a result, Spurs are apparently on the lookout for new central midfield additions and Palhinha is said to be one of the targets.

The likes of [Denis Zakaria and Corentin Tolisso](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham-tanguy-ndombele-transfer-news-24739223) have also been mentioned but O Jogo have an update on the Sporting CP star in particular.

### The Latest: Nuno green lights Palhinha move…

As per a report in the paper edition of O Jogo, via Sport Witness, Tottenham head coach Nuno has approved of a swoop for the 26-year-old.

[Tottenham latest gossip!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-gossip/)

They also say that Spurs and Paratici have made ‘exploratory contacts’ to sign Palhinha as a result and there is even a belief that Sporting could accept nearly half of their original €60 million (£50.8m) asking price.

The Primeira Liga giants have apparently been negotiating at around €30m (£25.4m) given their need to offload this summer, coming as a possible boost for Spurs.

However, they are definitely not alone in the race for Palhinha, with Manchester City, Manchester United, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid also on the prowl.

### The Verdict: Get it done…

The 6 foot 3 powerhouse, lauded as a ‘special player’ by Sporting boss Ruben Amorim (via[Record](https://www.record.pt/futebol/futebol-nacional/liga-bwin/sporting/detalhe/como-cresceste-miudo-os-elogios-a-exibicao-de-palhinha-no-fc-porto-sporting)), would be quite a coup for Spurs given his exploits in the Portuguese top flight last term.

According to [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/322774/History/Jo%C3%A3o-Palhinha), the midfield gem averaged a sensational 3.3 tackles per 90 in the centre of the park over 28 starts – eclipsing the numbers of [every Tottenham player](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/30/Show/England-Tottenham) in the Premier League.

He would undoubtedly be a colossal partner for either Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg or Oliver Skipp in front of the back four and a more than ideal replacement for Moussa Sissoko.

***In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘Fantastic’…Sky Sports pundit blown away by ‘huge’ claim involving Spurs, find out more [here.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-transfer-rumours/tottenham-hotspur-kevin-campbell-blown-away-by-huge-harry-kane-claim/)***