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Sousa reports that Benfica have made enquiries about a summer move, yet Palhinha's return to Sporting is said to be an "absolute priority". The 30-year-old wants to come back to Portugal to be closer to his children.

Palhinha, currently on loan at Tottenham Hotspur from Bayern Munich, has been one of the few bright spots in the London club's difficult season. Nevertheless, his long-term future remains open.

In 2024, Palhinha moved from Fulham to Bayern Munich for a transfer fee of €51 million at the request of then-manager Thomas Tuchel. The problem: by the time he arrived, Tuchel had already left. Under Vincent Kompany, Palhinha played only a minor role, which is why he returned to London on loan after a season. Spurs paid a loan fee of five million euros and also secured an option to buy for 25 million.

The campaign began brightly: until November, Palhinha started frequently and contributed to Tottenham's challenge at the top of the Premier League and Champions League. Yet, once the club's form collapsed, he slipped to a rotation role.

"Of course, it's a difficult situation at his club at the moment. But Joao is a fighter," Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund stated in mid-April. Because of the uncertainty over the club's league status for next season, Freund added, "It's difficult to say anything concrete about his future, but Tottenham already know what they have in him."

According to Sky, Spurs are open to a permanent deal but want to renegotiate the €25 million buy-out clause—a move Bayern Munich may accept.

For Palhinha, though, the deal makes sense only if Spurs beat the drop—something the Munich hierarchy now fervently hopes for. Palhinha's contract with Bayern runs until 2028, but his reported €10 million salary is expected to be reduced, as he has no future in Munich.

A return to Sporting CP, where he developed and won the league title between 2013 and 2022, could therefore appeal to the midfielder.

De Zerbi has confirmed that he “100 per cent” wants to keep Palhinha at Tottenham next season. The Portuguese midfielder joined Spurs on loan from Bayern Munich last summer with a £26m buy option to buy at the end of this season, and his performances have convinced the Italian manager that Spurs should trigger that clause.

As per The Standard, De Zerbi left no doubt about his admiration for Palhinha, saying on Thursday when asked if he wants him to stay beyond the summer: "100 per cent. We have to start with those types of people. More than players, we need reliable people, reliable players. Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure and as a guy. I want to see the player with the same passion, the same attitude, the same spirit, and the same personality, and we are lucky to have him."

The midfield partnership between Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Palhinha appears to be the blueprint for De Zerbi’s vision at the club. With Gallagher also adapting well to the physical and mental demands at the club after his January move from Atletico Madrid, the Spurs boss believes the team functions on a different level when his midfield is clicking.

“So I'm happy to watch him in this condition, in this confidence, with these performances. I think, and I said after the game, when Gallagher plays well, his team plays with one player more than the opponent,” De Zerbi added.

De Zerbi has confirmed that he “100 per cent” wants to keep Palhinha at Tottenham next season. The Portuguese midfielder joined Spurs on loan from Bayern Munich last summer with a £26m buy option to buy at the end of this season, and his performances have convinced the Italian manager that Spurs should trigger that clause.

As per The Standard, De Zerbi left no doubt about his admiration for Palhinha, saying on Thursday when asked if he wants him to stay beyond the summer: "100 per cent. We have to start with those types of people. More than players, we need reliable people, reliable players. Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure and as a guy. I want to see the player with the same passion, the same attitude, the same spirit, and the same personality, and we are lucky to have him."

The midfield partnership between Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Palhinha appears to be the blueprint for De Zerbi’s vision at the club. With Gallagher also adapting well to the physical and mental demands at the club after his January move from Atletico Madrid, the Spurs boss believes the team functions on a different level when his midfield is clicking.

“So I'm happy to watch him in this condition, in this confidence, with these performances. I think, and I said after the game, when Gallagher plays well, his team plays with one player more than the opponent,” De Zerbi added.

De Zerbi has confirmed that he “100 per cent” wants to keep Palhinha at Tottenham next season. The Portuguese midfielder joined Spurs on loan from Bayern Munich last summer with a £26m buy option to buy at the end of this season, and his performances have convinced the Italian manager that Spurs should trigger that clause.

As per The Standard, De Zerbi left no doubt about his admiration for Palhinha, saying on Thursday when asked if he wants him to stay beyond the summer: "100 per cent. We have to start with those types of people. More than players, we need reliable people, reliable players. Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure and as a guy. I want to see the player with the same passion, the same attitude, the same spirit, and the same personality, and we are lucky to have him."

The midfield partnership between Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Palhinha appears to be the blueprint for De Zerbi’s vision at the club. With Gallagher also adapting well to the physical and mental demands at the club after his January move from Atletico Madrid, the Spurs boss believes the team functions on a different level when his midfield is clicking.

“So I'm happy to watch him in this condition, in this confidence, with these performances. I think, and I said after the game, when Gallagher plays well, his team plays with one player more than the opponent,” De Zerbi added.

De Zerbi has confirmed that he “100 per cent” wants to keep Palhinha at Tottenham next season. The Portuguese midfielder joined Spurs on loan from Bayern Munich last summer with a £26m buy option to buy at the end of this season, and his performances have convinced the Italian manager that Spurs should trigger that clause.

As per The Standard, De Zerbi left no doubt about his admiration for Palhinha, saying on Thursday when asked if he wants him to stay beyond the summer: "100 per cent. We have to start with those types of people. More than players, we need reliable people, reliable players. Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure and as a guy. I want to see the player with the same passion, the same attitude, the same spirit, and the same personality, and we are lucky to have him."

The midfield partnership between Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Palhinha appears to be the blueprint for De Zerbi’s vision at the club. With Gallagher also adapting well to the physical and mental demands at the club after his January move from Atletico Madrid, the Spurs boss believes the team functions on a different level when his midfield is clicking.

“So I'm happy to watch him in this condition, in this confidence, with these performances. I think, and I said after the game, when Gallagher plays well, his team plays with one player more than the opponent,” De Zerbi added.

Speaking on the Call It What You Want podcast on CBS Sports Golazo America, Marsch provided a blunt assessment of De Zerbi’s coaching methods. While praising Kone’s recent development in Serie A with Sassuolo, the Canada boss took aim at how the current Tottenham manager handled the young talent during their time in Ligue 1.

“You know, when I took over the team, I think Ismael was a raw, talented person,” Marsch said on the podcast. “And since then, I’ve talked to him a lot about discipline and concentration and everything from what that means in his daily life, in his nutrition, in his sleep habits, in the way he trains and the way he shows up every day, in the way he plays, in his overall intelligence. Going to Italy and playing for a team that was newly promoted, and having to fight through a situation like that in a very organised league, he’s played an incredibly important role in that team and had a great year.”

The tension between Kone and De Zerbi reportedly reached a breaking point during a training session at Marseille. After the midfielder failed to follow specific tactical instructions, De Zerbi allegedly humiliated the youngster in front of his team-mates, telling him to leave the pitch and "call your agent" to find a new club because he would not play for him again.

Marsch highlighted this period as a major hurdle for the 23-year-old, stating: “So I mean, it would probably be easy to say that Ismael is the one. Not just from what I’ve done with him and what the national team has done with him but also what he’s been able to achieve in his career, and the steps he’s been able to make through difficulty I might add. Because it wasn’t easy with De Zerbi and Marseille. De Zerbi was a real, real a**hole with him and he stayed strong. He never doubted himself. He found a new situation, and now look at him flourishing. Let me reiterate. De Zerbi was a real a**hole with him.”

Since escaping the difficult environment at Marseille, Kone has rebuilt his reputation in Italy. After joining Sassuolo on an initial loan that was eventually made permanent for €10m, the Canadian international has become a vital cog for the Serie A side, scoring six goals in 32 appearances this season. Marsch believes this resurgence proves the player's mental fortitude in the face of De Zerbi's hostility.

In contrast, De Zerbi has faced a turbulent time since moving to the Premier League. Currently at the helm of Tottenham Hotspur, the Italian tactician is struggling to find consistency in North London. Spurs have found themselves in an uncharacteristic battle at the wrong end of the table, with De Zerbi tasked with pulling the club away from a disastrous relegation scrap.

Kone has matured under Marsch’s tutelage, shedding his "raw" tag to become a standout starter for Canada. His consistent performances in Serie A with Sassuolo, who currently sit 10th in the table, serve as a direct response to his earlier struggles under De Zerbi. As he continues to flourish in Italy, the midfielder is now preparing for this summer’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, where he will lead his country in Group B against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, and Switzerland.

Spurs have claimed seven points from their first three games under the Italian coach, providing a significant boost to their Premier League survival hopes.

Following a crucial 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, midfielder Gallagher highlighted the manager's commitment to individual development as the driving force behind their improved form.

"The gaffer has been brilliant with us. He has brought the team together," the 26-year-old told reporters when discussing the atmosphere inside the dressing room.

"He is really worked on players individually with one-to-one meetings and one-to-one chats, trying to get that belief and confidence back in the players. He has done that with me and it has made a big difference. I know he has done that with a lot of the other lads."

Ex-Chelsea player Gallagher, who joined Spurs from Atletico Madrid in January, netting his first goal for the club at Villa Park, revealed that De Zerbi has been using his past successes to motivate him.

The Italian tactician specifically referenced Gallagher's peak years in West London to remind the player of his inherent quality during these high-pressure months.

"He just reminds me of when I was at my best. He said that second season at Chelsea, when I had a really good season, he just reminded me of that player," Gallagher explained. "He wants me to be like that again and to not forget how good I can be."

The tactical shift has been just as important as the mental one, with Gallagher noting that De Zerbi's meticulous nature on the training ground has ensured the entire squad is pulling in the same direction.

Consecutive wins against Wolves and Aston Villa suggest that the message is finally being received loud and clear by a group that had looked disjointed earlier in the campaign.

Reflecting on the collective progress, Gallagher stated: "As a team as well, all the work he has done on the training pitch and the meeting rooms, it has been fantastic and everyone is on the same page."

Despite the optimism surrounding the recent results, Gallagher is under no illusions regarding the challenges that lie ahead. Tottenham have managed to haul themselves out of the bottom three, but the gap remains narrow and the pressure remains high ahead of their next fixture against Leeds.

"There is a lot of work to do," the midfielder cautioned. "We are fully focused on the next game, hopefully do the same performance and another win."

Antonin Kinsky (6/10):

Virtually a spectator throughout as Villa barely entered his penalty area, although did flap at one cross. Stranded for the late goal.

Pedro Porro (6/10):

Inverted into midfield as often as he could but not actually as involved as he usually is going forward.

Kevin Danso (7/10):

Operated with a real calmness and helped to progress the play up the pitch, albeit had to be bailed out after one bad giveaway.

Micky van de Ven (7/10):

Some clever bits of defending, utilising his pace and strength - most notably in a last-ditch challenge on Tammy Abraham. Perhaps should have done better to stop Buendia heading home.

Destiny Udogie (6/10):

The Italian's underlapping runs were a real problem for Villa, although he was helped by the ineffective Jadon Sancho giving him an easy ride at the other end.

Joao Palhinha (7/10):

Denied an early goal by a miraculous Martinez save. A very tidy midfield performance with a sprinkling of his usual aggression in the tackle.

Rodrigo Bentancur (7/10):

Happy to do the dirty work with Gallagher given the freedom to play further forward, and picked up a booking on his team's behalf as a result.

Conor Gallagher (8/10):

Undoubtedly his best performance yet for Spurs. He led from the front, popping up everywhere and pressing relentlessly. His pinpoint early finish was the highlight of a tireless display - his first goal for the club.

Randal Kolo Muani (7/10):

Showed really good energy and industry on the right flank and was unlucky not to score. Ian Maatsen will be having nightmares about him tonight.

Richarlison (7/10):

Peripheral before popping up to make it 2-0 with a simple header. Didn't really do anything of note after that, either, but he won't really care.

Mathys Tel (7/10):

Like Kolo Muani, caused his marker plenty of problems, and his perfect cross made Richarlison's job easy.

Yves Bissouma (6/10):

Fresh legs in the middle of the park. Did what was expected.

Djed Spence (6/10):

Came on out of position on the right wing. Not particularly effective but helped see out the game.

Pape Matar Sarr (N/A):

Brought on in the dying embers to run down the clock.

Lucas Bergvall (N/A):

Same as Sarr, as he was introduced in the final minute of normal time.

Roberto De Zerbi (8/10):

The best performance yet of his dawning tenure. It was a display that boasted all the hallmarks of 'De Zerbi-ball' and suggests things might just be clicking at the perfect moment for Spurs in their bid to escape the drop.

Antonin Kinsky (6/10):

Virtually a spectator throughout as Villa barely entered his penalty area, although did flap at one cross. Stranded for the late goal.

Pedro Porro (6/10):

Inverted into midfield as often as he could but not actually as involved as he usually is going forward.

Kevin Danso (7/10):

Operated with a real calmness and helped to progress the play up the pitch, albeit had to be bailed out after one bad giveaway.

Micky van de Ven (7/10):

Some clever bits of defending, utilising his pace and strength - most notably in a last-ditch challenge on Tammy Abraham. Perhaps should have done better to stop Buendia heading home.

Destiny Udogie (6/10):

The Italian's underlapping runs were a real problem for Villa, although he was helped by the ineffective Jadon Sancho giving him an easy ride at the other end.

Joao Palhinha (7/10):

Denied an early goal by a miraculous Martinez save. A very tidy midfield performance with a sprinkling of his usual aggression in the tackle.

Rodrigo Bentancur (7/10):

Happy to do the dirty work with Gallagher given the freedom to play further forward, and picked up a booking on his team's behalf as a result.

Conor Gallagher (8/10):

Undoubtedly his best performance yet for Spurs. He led from the front, popping up everywhere and pressing relentlessly. His pinpoint early finish was the highlight of a tireless display - his first goal for the club.

Randal Kolo Muani (7/10):

Showed really good energy and industry on the right flank and was unlucky not to score. Ian Maatsen will be having nightmares about him tonight.

Richarlison (7/10):

Peripheral before popping up to make it 2-0 with a simple header. Didn't really do anything of note after that, either, but he won't really care.

Mathys Tel (7/10):

Like Kolo Muani, caused his marker plenty of problems, and his perfect cross made Richarlison's job easy.

Yves Bissouma (6/10):

Fresh legs in the middle of the park. Did what was expected.

Djed Spence (6/10):

Came on out of position on the right wing. Not particularly effective but helped see out the game.

Pape Matar Sarr (N/A):

Brought on in the dying embers to run down the clock.

Lucas Bergvall (N/A):

Same as Sarr, as he was introduced in the final minute of normal time.

Roberto De Zerbi (8/10):

The best performance yet of his dawning tenure. It was a display that boasted all the hallmarks of 'De Zerbi-ball' and suggests things might just be clicking at the perfect moment for Spurs in their bid to escape the drop.

Sheffield United capped off their campaign with a gritty 2-1 victory over Derby County, thanks to standout performances from Thomas Cannon and Sydie Peck. But the main talking point off the pitch was a viral video of the Sheffield United fans taunting Tottenham. With Spurs struggling in the Premier League and facing the prospect of a shock relegation, the Sheffield United faithful were filmed singing a brutal song about the north London club. The chants mocked Tottenham's fall from grace, with fans clearly relishing the prospect of facing the Premier League giants in the Championship next season. They were singing "We're going Tottenham, you're going, too!"

The result sees Sheffield United finish the season with 60 points, a tally that leaves them mid-table but hopeful for a more consistent promotion push next year. For Derby, missing out on the play-off spots after a strong season will be a bitter pill to swallow, especially as they surrendered a lead at home in the final fixture of the campaign.

Manager Chris Wilder and his players kept their celebrations relatively low-key on the pitch. "It was a sellout here today, and I said that to the players - 'they [fans] have followed you up and down the country, and if any group of supporters deserve that after an incredibly challenging season, it's them', Wilder said as quoted by BBC Sport.

"And we've got through it with a reasonable points tally of 60. We wanted to get off the bottom of the division [where the Blades were when Wilder was reappointed], and we did that, then we wanted to get the club up the table, and we did that."

Sheffield United finished the season in 13th place, a position that reflects a campaign of transition following Wilder’s return in September. While there were flashes of quality at Pride Park, particularly with goals from Cannon and Peck, the manager has already identified fitness and mentality as two key facets for the Blades to improve on during the upcoming break.

"I've known what we have to do, and we are well on our way to doing it. And we will be better for it and we will hopefully be playing in games like this towards the back end of next year as Derby County have today."