Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha on a season-long loan, in a surprising move aimed at strengthening their defensive midfield. The 30-year-old Portugal international, who joined Bayern from Fulham in 2024 for £42.3 million, struggled for game time last season, managing just 17 Bundesliga appearances.
According to reports, new Spurs manager Thomas Frank pushed for a defensive-minded midfielder after taking over, as questions linger over the futures of Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur. The deal includes an option for Spurs to sign Palhinha permanently at the end of the loan.
Palhinha is no stranger to the Premier League. During his two seasons at Fulham, he made 68 appearances and became known for his tough tackling and positional awareness. In the 2022–2023 season alone, he made 300 tackles — the highest in the league — and ranked sixth for interceptions with 92.
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While his aggressive style brings much-needed grit to Spurs’ midfield, it also comes with disciplinary concerns. He received 27 yellow cards over his last two Premier League seasons, more than any other player.
Palhinha becomes Tottenham’s third summer signing, following the £55m capture of Ghanaian forward Mohammed Kudus and the permanent acquisition of Mathys Tel from Bayern.
Football analyst Edu Rubio noted that Palhinha’s arrival could be the key to balancing Tottenham’s attack-heavy midfield. “He offers stability, wins aerial duels, and brings leadership—something Spurs truly need,” Rubio said.
Palhinha’s return to England marks a potentially career-reviving chapter, and Spurs fans will hope his Premier League experience adds much-needed steel to their midfield.
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