Tottenham delivered a new defensive midfielder for Thomas Frank on Sunday evening.
Spurs announced the arrival of Joao Palhinha on loan from Bayern Munich for the 2025/26 campaign for a sum of £4.3m – and negotiated an option to buy the Portugal international permanently next summer for a fee of £27m.
Palhinha shone at Fulham before moving to Bavaria in July 2024 and should bring some real grit to the No.6 role at Tottenham, which has lacked a formidable presence since Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama departed.
However – according to Sport in Spain – Tottenham actually tried to buy Marc Casado from Barcelona before taking the Portuguese stalwart on loan.
Tottenham made approach for Marc Casado
The Spanish news outlet believe Spurs opened talks with Barcelona over a deal for the 21-year-old before approaching Bayern Munich for the man born in Lisbon.
Sport explain that Barcelona are open to selling Casado, as Hansi Flick deems Frenkie de Jong and Marc Bernal to be ahead of him in the pecking order in the defensive midfield department.
However, the Spain international himself is eager to prove himself in Catalonia and wants to stay, something Tottenham were made aware of.
Sport then explain that Spurs closed negotiations with Barcelona and swiftly completed the signing of Palhinha – who admires Pedro Porro – on loan instead.
Marc Casado could still join Tottenham
Spurs deserve credit for moving on so quickly rather than be drawn into a lengthy saga, but they would be wise to keep an eye on developments at Barcelona.
The Spanish news outlet state that Tottenham are ideally looking for two new defensive midfielders, and mention that Casado – who Sport say has been nicknamed Joshua Kimmich at Barcelona – could change his stance once the 2025/26 season gets underway, should Flick leave him out of the squad.
It is also said that Barcelona remain open to selling their No.17 if a respectable bid arrives – given his status in the squad and the need for cash at the Camp Nou.
As things stand, Barcelona are still unable to register Marcus Rashford to be eligible for the 2025/26 campaign due to financial issues.
Therefore, this deal is not entirely dead by any means.