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Sporting Prioritises João Palhinha as Tottenham Urged to Trigger Buy Option

The player’s reported willingness to take a large pay cut and Bayern’s control of his contract make a loan or reduced-fee deal the most realistic route to a transfer.

Overview

  • Palhinha spent 2025–26 on loan at Tottenham where he was a key performer and helped secure the club’s top-flight survival.
  • Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi has publicly urged the club to activate the reported buy option to sign Palhinha permanently.
  • Portuguese outlet A Bola says Sporting have made Palhinha a primary target and are pushing to bring him back to replace Morten Hjulmand.
  • Sporting are exploring either a negotiated reduced transfer fee or a loan with a future purchase option because the player’s reported €9m gross annual wages strain their budget.
  • Bayern Munich hold Palhinha’s contract through 2028 so any move depends on talks with the German club and negotiations are ongoing with decisions expected soon.