An interesting reason has been provided for why Tottenham Hotspur have opted against signing Joao Palhinha permanently, and it has to do with the North London club’s transfer objectives this summer.
It now appears only a matter of time before Palhinha completes a loan move to Spurs, with the Lilywhites expected to have a £26m option to make the deal permanent next summer.
According to a report in The Athletic, Bayern Munich were ready to sell Palhinha permanently to Tottenham, but the North London club preferred a temporary deal.
Spurs are expected to cover the Portugal international’s full salary over the next 12 months as he is set to return to London.
Why Tottenham decided against signing Joao Palhinha permanently
Sky Sports have now revealed that Spurs initially only wanted to sign the midfielder on a straight loan, with an option to buy only being later added in their discussions with Bayern on Thursday.
The outlet claims that Thomas Frank decided against paying a fee for the former Fulham man this summer in order to give themselves ‘more flexibility to spend funds elsewhere’.
The report adds that Tottenham Hotspur’s priority remains to bolster their attacking positions ahead of the new campaign, while the Lilywhites are also on the lookout for another full-back and a number ten.
Who are the attacking midfielders on Tottenham’s radar?
Gibbs-White’s decision to sign a new contract at Nottingham Forest came as a huge blow to Tottenham, but the North Londoners have now begun exploring moves for alternatives.
It has emerged that Harvey Elliott and James McAtee are on Spurs’ radar, but neither the Liverpool man nor the Man City starlet is expected to come cheap.
After the Gibbs-White fiasco, clubs are aware that Tottenham have at least £60m to throw around this summer, which means that negotiations may not be easy for Daniel Levy and co.
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