Tottenham still have control of João Palhinha’s future, but Sporting are now acting like his return is a genuinely realistic possibility.
Palhinha has been one of Spurs’ most important players in this delicate season. The Portugal international has made 31 Premier League appearances this season. He has also scored four goals and provided two assists, recently netting a crucial winner away at Wolverhampton.
Roberto De Zerbi has publicly praised him several times and wants him as part of Tottenham’s long-term plans. Spurs are still expected to try keeping him permanently.
However, there is still no final agreement with Bayern Munich.
And Sporting have already been closely watching Tottenham’s talks with the Germans. This interest has increased especially after recent news that Spurs want to negotiate the €30m (£25.8m) purchase option down rather than simply triggering it.
Now the situation is starting to affect other transfer plans at Alvalade.
Sporting willing to put other plans on hold
According to Record, Sporting are cooling their interest in Real Betis midfielder Sergi Altimira because of their growing focus on Palhinha. Moreover, it is not being framed as a vague dream move anymore.
The feeling there is that Palhinha has become attainable enough for Sporting to push other targets into the background while waiting for clarity from Tottenham.
In short, Spurs’ uncertainty is giving Sporting belief.
Record say Sporting are prepared to wait until the end of the season for Palhinha before fully moving onto alternative midfield targets. That is a pretty major shift internally.
Sporting know Morten Hjulmand is likely leaving this summer, while Hidemasa Morita is also nearing the exit door. Altimira had emerged as one of the priority names to help rebuild midfield.
Now the Spanish midfielder is losing momentum because Palhinha is taking over the conversation.
The Portuguese newspaper explains Sporting believe the process around the Tottenham midfielder could drag on until after the World Cup because of the money involved and Spurs’ own uncertainty.
If Tottenham activate the €30m (£25.8m) clause, the story is basically over. But if Spurs hesitate too long – or if relegation changes their financial reality completely – Sporting feel the road suddenly opens up for them.
There is a financial factor here too. Record added that Sporting know they would struggle financially against RB Leipzig for Altimira, who is also wanted in Germany. So from their point of view, waiting for Palhinha may actually make more sense anyway.
Family factor now helping Sporting
There is another thing strengthening Sporting’s confidence. According to A Bola, Palhinha recently rejected approaches from major Turkish clubs because he wants to remain close to his family.
As we previously covered, Portuguese reports had already stated the midfielder would welcome a return to Sporting for personal reasons. However, this is now being backed up by concrete decisions in the market.
The report also points out an important legal detail around Tottenham’s option to buy.
Even though Spurs hold the €30m (£25.8m) clause, the permanent transfer still requires full agreement between Bayern Munich, Tottenham and Palhinha himself. That gives the player significant leverage in the process.
In practice, Tottenham cannot simply activate the option and force the move through if Palhinha’s priorities point elsewhere. And in Portugal, there is growing belief that family considerations are becoming a major factor in the story.
Player’s wishes becoming increasingly important
Tottenham are still pushing to keep Palhinha. De Zerbi remains a huge admirer of the midfielder and reportedly wants to build part of next season’s squad around him.
Even so, the tone in Portugal is increasingly shifting towards the player’s side of the equation.
The fact Sporting are already deprioritising other targets to focus on Palhinha shows how seriously they are taking the possibility of bringing him home.
For now, Tottenham remain in the race to sign him permanently. But the growing feeling in Portugal is that this story may ultimately depend less on clauses and more on what Palhinha himself wants next.