Tottenham Hotspur are on the hunt for a new midfielder in 2026.
Thomas Frank focused on other areas of his squad in the summer transfer market as he secured a season-long loan on Bayern Munich's Joao Palhinha.
The Portugal international has struggled for prominence in Bavaria following his 2024 move from Fulham but he looks revived in Spurs' engine room under Frank.
Palhinha has featured in all eight of Spurs' Premier League games so far in 2025/26, with seven starts, and two goals scored by the 30-year-old.
Frank has a €30m [£36m/$35m] transfer clause to make the move permanent next summer in what looks currently like shrewd option for the Danish coach.
The former Cottagers star has made a reputation as a 'tackle king' - and his early numbers at Tottenham back that up - as the Premier League's No.1 for tackles won [21] and the leading midfielder in that metric across Europe's top five leagues.
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Spurs look certain to activate that clause, with Bayern Munich open to an exit, but Frank is also considering a new midfield partner for him next summer.
Reports from Portuguese outlet Record claim Frank is ready to battle Manchester United for Ruben Amorim's former Sporting CP captain - and fellow Dane - Morten Hjulmand.
The Sporting CP hierarchy are confident of retaining him in the long-term, after receiving assurances from his camp in recent weeks, and a current contract until 2028 in Lisbon.
However, the 26-year-old has an €80m [£70m/$93m] release clause in his contract and that could be tested in 2026 if Spurs secure Champions League qualification at the end of the campaign.
Tottenham want Amorim favourite as new midfield enforcer
Amorim is also keen on a move, after failing to lure Viktor Gyokeres from the Estádio José Alvalade ahead of his switch to Arsenal, and UCL qualification could be the decisive factor in Hjulmand's next move.
The former Leece midfielder has a similar profile to Palhinha, but Amorim has cleared indicated his view on who is the better player, based on their time together in Portugal.
"He's going to be a player to help us control games, he's a mix of Palhinha and [Manuel] Ugarte. I know Ugarte and Palhinha are going to be upset with me, but for me, Hjulmand is the most complete player in that position."
High praise from Amorim on his old skipper, but a United move depends on the futures of Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo, but Spurs' main barrier could be finances.
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