Tottenham have stepped up their search for a new defensive midfielder by making contact with Bayern Munich over a move for Joao Palhinha, just days after their bid for Morgan Gibbs-White.
While the Lilywhites have looked to improve the depth in their squad high up the pitch with players who offer experience and end product, there remains a clear need for the defensive areas to be bolstered as well.
Tottenham currently have a host of centre-backs – eight to be precise – involved in pre-season training. However, the defensive midfield area of the squad continues to lack sufficient depth and top-level quality, particularly after Yves Bissouma’s inconsistent campaign last season.
Spurs fans had called for Bissouma to be sold during the course of the previous campaign, and Tottenham, following crunch talks with the Malian midfielder, decided that a parting of ways would take place this summer.
In fact, recent reports claim that Spurs could be about to receive a first bid for Yves Bissouma, as Turkish side Fenerbahce are weighing their options.
We have since identified six holding midfielders Tottenham could potentially target this summer if they are to address the glaring gap in their midfield ranks.
Among those names was Joao Palhinha of Bayern Munich, whose lack of regular game time in Germany has cast doubt over his long-term future with the Bundesliga champions.
According to GIVEMESPORT, Tottenham Hotspur are now said to have made contact with Bayern Munich regarding Palhinha, the Portuguese midfielder they signed from Fulham last summer.
It is understood that Spurs have put out early feelers to gauge whether there is a pathway towards negotiating a deal for Joao Palhinha this summer.
Tottenham are reportedly still eyeing a big-money move for the 30-year-old despite their recent £60 million bid for Morgan Gibbs-White.
Although the Forest man’s proposed transfer has been delayed, Spurs remain confident of securing both his signature and that of a specialist holding midfielder, with Palhinha now firmly on their radar.
Spurs monitoring Palhinha’s wages and Bayern’s transfer stance
It is claimed that Tottenham are currently monitoring the situation of the Portuguese international and may lodge a formal bid should his availability become clearer ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline.
Further details from the report indicate that the club are aware of Palhinha’s lofty wage demands, with the player reportedly earning a deal at Bayern Munich that rises to around £200,000-per-week when performance-related bonuses are triggered.
It is also reported that Bayern will demand a substantial fee to part ways with Palhinha, having spent £47 million to sign him from Fulham.
Palhinha featured 17 times last season in the Bundesliga, playing just 667 minutes for the German champions, which is a far cry from the 33 Premier League games he played in his final season at Fulham, where he scored four goals and assisted one.
Spurs are thought to be weighing up their options, given the scale of the financial outlay likely required. Tottenham do have other names on their radar for the holding midfield role, including Douglas Luiz.
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