Tottenham Plans to Engage in Permanent Deal Talks for Joao Palhinha
Tottenham are planning to open talks over a permanent deal with Joao Palhinha and add a central midfielder on top of that.
Tottenham Hotspur have two games left to save their Premier League status. Come what may at the end of the month, the fixtures against Chelsea and Everton could turn out to be the last matches for some players in a Spurs shirt. And Joao Palhinha could be one of them.
Joao Palhinha has endured mixed fortunes during his loan spell with Tottenham after arriving from Bayern Munich last summer. The Lilywhites do have the option to buy the defensive midfielder at the end of his loan spell, and boss Roberto De Zerbi wants to keep him in the squad. However, in recent days, the Portuguese international has been linked with a return to Sporting CP.
While Spurs are seemingly looking to turn his loan into a permanent deal, Palhinha may seek a move back to his homeland if the unthinkable happens. As Sporting CP have started monitoring his situation, the club has to take a clear stand on the future of the experienced midfielder.
Ben Jacobs Provides Update on Joao Palhinha’s Future and Reveals Tottenham’s Interest in a Premier League Midfielder
Reliable journalist Ben Jacobs has now provided an update on Palhinha’s future. He says that the North Londoners want to improve the central midfield unit in the summer and try engaging in permanent talks with Palhinha, who would “like to stay” at White Hart Lane.
“Central midfield could still be an area where Tottenham look to improve. They’ll have to make a decision over Joao Palhinha, and there is a willingness to potentially engage to keep him permanently, and he would like to stay,” Ben Jacobs exclusively revealed to GIVEMESPORT.
Jacobs has also conceded that Tottenham are one of the clubs looking at Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott. Manchester United are also interested, while Chelsea have emerged as suitors for his signature, too.
“Tottenham are one of the clubs also looking at Bournemouth’s Alex Scott,” he added.
“He’s on Manchester United’s radar too, but once again, as I’ve said many times, Bournemouth are calm about that situation and are hoping to offer Scott a new deal.”
Alex Scott on Tottenham’s Radar
Alex Scott has enjoyed a fantastic season at the Vitality Stadium. He has been one of the major contributors to Bournemouth’s excellent campaign, which could end up with them qualifying for the Champions League. They are currently sixth in the table and have a great opportunity of making it to the elite European competition under Andoni Iraola.
That would represent an incredible achievement for the Cherries, thereby boosting their hopes of keeping their star players, including Scott, at the club. The central midfielder has another two years on his current contract, but talks are ongoing over a fresh, improved deal. The 22-year-old has registered three goals and an assist in 36 Premier League outings, most notably scoring the winner against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in April.
Being a self-proclaimed Tottenham fan, Scott certainly enjoyed that moment against Arsenal. In addition to his goal contributions, the Englishman is technically sound, a crisp passer of the ball, a good reader of the game, and never shies away from a challenge. This proves why clubs like Tottenham, Chelsea, and Manchester United are keen on signing him. It remains to be seen what happens with Scott, but unless Tottenham secure their top-flight status, they’d find it extremely difficult to persuade the English talent to join De Zerbi’s exciting project.