Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) says Tottenham Hotspur will wait until the 2025/26 season ends. They will make a final call on Joao Palhinha’s future then. The Portugal midfielder is currently on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich.
Tottenham Hotspur Delay Decision on Joao Palhinha Transfer Until Summer
He has a buy option clause within his deal. Plettenberg suggests this costs €25m. The price could hit €30m with performance bonuses. Spurs are in the driver’s seat here. Still, the club’s bosses want to check his fitness and fit for the system over the coming months. They prefer this over rushing into a permanent deal right now.
A Logical Pause for Reflection
This careful move makes sense, looking at how the midfielder has played lately. Palhinha is now 30 years old. He came to North London, known as one of Europe’s best at winning the ball. His start to the 2025/26 season lived up to that status.
Joao Palhinha won his battles and gave Tottenham the toughness they lacked. However, he hasn’t been as sharp since the winter break. His tackling numbers are still great. Even so, people are wondering about Joao Palhinha’s passing and movement against teams that sit deep. This same issue cut his playing time short in Munich.
On top of that, the money side needs a close look. Spending up to €30m on a player in his thirties is a big investment. A deal like that has no resale value. The Portuguese star has plenty of experience and over 40 caps for his country.
But the Premier League’s speed often catches up with older defensive midfielders. Because of this, Tottenham have to compare his defensive help today. They must balance it against the need for a younger, more creative player for the future.
If Joao Palhinha finds his top form again, he could help Tottenham grab a European spot. If he does, that fee will look like a steal. On the flip side, his movement might keep slowing down. If that happens, Spurs can just let the loan end and send him back to Bayern.
Keeping their options open until May is the smartest move the board can make. They have all the leverage. They should only pull the trigger if Palhinha shows he can keep up the pace through the tough final run.