As the Premier League campaign draws near and they continue their summer business, reports are now claiming that Tottenham Hotspur have launched an approach to sign a Barcelona midfielder.
Palhinha reveals delight at Premier League return
After missing out on Morgan Gibbs-White, who opted to sign a new contract at Nottingham Forest instead of joining up with Thomas Frank's side, a new midfielder always seemed on the Tottenham agenda. And whilst Joao Palhinha is a different type of player to Gibbs-White, he will offer the Lilywhites the reinforcement that they've been craving.
“I’m really, really happy. It’s such an amazing feeling that I had when I arrived here at the training ground and I’m really motivated for the next steps, so I just want to enjoy it with my team-mates, start to work with the coach and start to win matches with this club.
“It’s an amazing feeling to return to the Premier League and to return to London as well. I really loved to live here before and I’m so happy to be here again and to enjoy the Premier League because in my opinion – as I’ve always said – it’s the best league in the world. It’s what me and my family wanted at this moment and I’m really happy for this.” (Palhinha)
Delighted to be back in the Premier League following a tough year at Bayern Munich, Palhinha - on paper - is the perfect midfielder for Frank's hard-working, combative midfield.
It wouldn't even be absurd to suggest that the ex-Fulham man could be the Dane's new version of Christian Norgaard, who thrived under his management at Brentford before leaving for Arsenal this summer.
That said, Palhinha isn't the only midfield name to find himself on Tottenham's radar following their Gibbs-White disappointment earlier in the summer transfer window.
Tottenham make first Casado approach
As reported by Sport in Spain, and relayed by Sport Witness, Tottenham made an approach to sign Marc Casado from Barcelona before they secured Palhinha's signature.
The 21-year-old is free to leave the La Liga giants for around €30m (£26m) this summer and, although he reportedly turned down the chance to complete a move the first time around, it will be interesting to see whether Spurs come calling with a second attempt to secure his arrival this month.
Praised for his "superb attitude" by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Barcelona's loss could quickly become Tottenham's gain if they managed to convince Casado into a move this summer. Whilst Palhinha's arrival does ease their desperation for another midfielder, the chance to sign a La Masia graduate is not one that the Lilywhites should turn down.
At just 21 years old, the Spaniard would be the long-term option that Palhinha - at 30 years old - can't guarantee Frank's side, especially given that they have no obligation to buy the latter after his loan spell next summer.