Tottenham Hotspur are now planning a move for an "incredible" midfielder, with manager Roberto De Zerbi personally driving the deal.
Tottenham eyeing new midfielder with Palhinha's future in doubt
Following Newcastle United's 3-1 victory against West Ham United on Sunday, De Zerbi is firmly on course to guide Tottenham to safety, with his side effectively safe if they pick up a draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, given their vastly superior goal difference.
At one stage, Spurs looked like they were in serious trouble, but the former Brighton manager has turned things around, taking eight points from the last four Premier League games, and Joao Palhinha has played a key role, scoring the only goal in the 1-0 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
De Zerbi is keen to retain Palhinha beyond the end of the campaign, and the north Londoners have the option to make the Bayern Munich loanee's stay permanent for £27m, but there have been suggestions he doesn't want to move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
With that in mind, signing a new defensive midfielder may be very important in the upcoming window, especially considering Yves Bissouma is determined to seal an exit.
Tottenham planning move for "incredible" Serie A star
According to a report from Tuttosport (via Sport Witness), Tottenham are now set to make a move for Fiorentina midfielder Nicolo Fagioli within a matter of days, and De Zerbi is personally behind the move for his compatriot.
The Serie A side are expected to hold out for around €40m (£35m) for the midfielder, who Spurs scouts watched in action in the 2-0 defeat against Juventus at the weekend.
Juve's Pierre Kalulu is also of interest, but a deal is unlikely, given that the Italian club have no interest in sanctioning a departure this summer.
Italian sporting director Ariedo Braida has lauded Fagioli in the past, describing him as a "truly interesting young man who is demonstrating incredible abilities", but he probably wouldn't be a like-for-like replacement for Palhinha.
Nicolo Fagioli's Serie A statistics
Much like Palhinha, the Fiorentina star has predominantly featured as a defensive midfielder this season, and he has been one of La Viola's key players, making 33 appearances in the Serie A.
No Fiorentina player has created more chances (62) than the 25-year-old, with an average of 52.8 accurate passes per 90 ranking him second in the squad.
However, the maestro isn't particularly adept at winning back possession, averaging 1.6 successful tackles, which is far below Palhinha's average in the Premier League.
Joao Palhinha's Premier League statistics
Indeed, the Portugal international has proven himself as one of the best tacklers in the Premier League, completing 4.6 per 90, which places him second in the top flight, behind only Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte.
As such, Tottenham should definitely keep hold of the ex-Fulham man beyond the summer, should he be willing to remain in north London.