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Portuguese daily A Bola reports that Palhinha prefers a return to Sporting over a permanent move to Spurs and is actively pushing for the switch to be closer to his family. He is even ready to accept a pay cut to facilitate the transfer.

The latest twist is welcome news for Bayern: Palhinha now prefers a move to Spurs. Unlike the north London club, which can simply activate the €30 million buy-option, Bayern would have had to re-open talks with Sporting. Reports suggested a loan-plus-obligation-to-buy structure was on the table, but it was far from certain that Bayern would recoup a fee they considered acceptable given their earlier investment in the midfielder.

Bayern Munich paid Fulham €50 million for Palhinha in the summer of 2024, yet the club has little to show for the outlay. Thomas Tuchel, the Portuguese midfielder's biggest advocate, had already left the dugout by the time the transfer went through. His successor, Vincent Kompany, tried to integrate the 30-year-old, but repeated long-term injuries derailed his debut campaign.

Ultimately, Leon Goretzka—already once dropped—seized a first-team berth in Bayern's central midfield alongside Joshua Kimmich while Aleksandar Pavlovic remained sidelined by injury. Palhinha therefore moved on loan to Tottenham after just one season, where he played a decisive role in their relegation fight. In 45 appearances across all competitions, he scored seven goals and provided three assists; his winner on the final day against Everton proved decisive, securing Spurs' survival.

The German record champions could certainly use the millions from the Palhinha deal. According to *kicker*, FC Bayern must raise at least €40 million by selling its loaned-out players—Palhinha, Alexander Nübel, Sacha Boey and Bryan Zaragoza—to boost its transfer budget to €100 million.

According to kicker, Bayern's transfer focus is on two areas: left-back and centre-back. Alphonso Davies, the usual first-choice on the left, is no longer considered a certainty; confidence in the Canadian's fitness has waned due to persistent injury problems following last year's cruciate ligament tear.

German World Cup full-back Nathaniel Brown has been mooted as an alternative, with The Athletic noting growing Bayern interest and Arsenal also in the mix. Sport1 claims FCB officials have already met the 22-year-old's representatives, though Eintracht Frankfurt value him at least €60m.

Beyond defence, Bayern are also seeking a versatile attacker who can thrive on the left wing or in central midfield. That search intensified after their reported target Anthony Gordon moved to Barcelona, setting the rumour mill in overdrive.

The tz has linked Junior Kroupi of AFC Bournemouth with Bayern, at a reported cost of up to €80 million. According to Fabrizio Romano, PSV Eindhoven's Ismael Saibari is now Bayern's main target for the attack. Romano adds that talks between Bayern and Saibari are already underway, having gained momentum following Gordon's rejection; the Moroccan is said to be "keen to join Bayern this summer".

Tottenham Hotspur Squad  Goal.com

Tottenham Hotspur Squad  Goal.com

The transfer forms a major part of a crucial squad overhaul under manager Roberto De Zerbi, who is determined to rectify a catastrophic top-flight campaign. Speaking after a narrow 1-0 victory over Everton to secure safety, he stated: “We close one page and we open another page today.

"We have no time. We have to organise the next season, we have to begin a stronger team. I am very happy and very proud of every one of us. What we did was incredible, but it is finished. Now we have to move on and to prepare the future of our club.

"I came in a difficult moment and I think it made us stronger. We can become better for sure - as a coach, as players, as a club, and we cannot make the same mistakes.”

The transfer forms a major part of a crucial squad overhaul under manager Roberto De Zerbi, who is determined to rectify a catastrophic top-flight campaign. Speaking after a narrow 1-0 victory over Everton to secure safety, he stated: “We close one page and we open another page today.

"We have no time. We have to organise the next season, we have to begin a stronger team. I am very happy and very proud of every one of us. What we did was incredible, but it is finished. Now we have to move on and to prepare the future of our club.

"I came in a difficult moment and I think it made us stronger. We can become better for sure - as a coach, as players, as a club, and we cannot make the same mistakes.”

The transfer forms a major part of a crucial squad overhaul under manager Roberto De Zerbi, who is determined to rectify a catastrophic top-flight campaign. Speaking after a narrow 1-0 victory over Everton to secure safety, he stated: “We close one page and we open another page today.

"We have no time. We have to organise the next season, we have to begin a stronger team. I am very happy and very proud of every one of us. What we did was incredible, but it is finished. Now we have to move on and to prepare the future of our club.

"I came in a difficult moment and I think it made us stronger. We can become better for sure - as a coach, as players, as a club, and we cannot make the same mistakes.”

The transfer forms a major part of a crucial squad overhaul under manager Roberto De Zerbi, who is determined to rectify a catastrophic top-flight campaign. Speaking after a narrow 1-0 victory over Everton to secure safety, he stated: “We close one page and we open another page today.

"We have no time. We have to organise the next season, we have to begin a stronger team. I am very happy and very proud of every one of us. What we did was incredible, but it is finished. Now we have to move on and to prepare the future of our club.

"I came in a difficult moment and I think it made us stronger. We can become better for sure - as a coach, as players, as a club, and we cannot make the same mistakes.”

The transfer forms a major part of a crucial squad overhaul under manager Roberto De Zerbi, who is determined to rectify a catastrophic top-flight campaign. Speaking after a narrow 1-0 victory over Everton to secure safety, he stated: “We close one page and we open another page today.

"We have no time. We have to organise the next season, we have to begin a stronger team. I am very happy and very proud of every one of us. What we did was incredible, but it is finished. Now we have to move on and to prepare the future of our club.

"I came in a difficult moment and I think it made us stronger. We can become better for sure - as a coach, as players, as a club, and we cannot make the same mistakes.”

Following his official omission from Sweden's World Cup squad due to a devastating year-long injury, Kulusevski's focus has now fully shifted to the 2026-27 club season. The forward is determined to be ready to work under Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham, and despite the lengthy layoff, national team doctor Jonas Werner remains optimistic about the long-term career prospects for the former Juventus man.

“He won't give up hope,” Werner said, via Sportbladet. “He's getting plenty of help from the club and others who are helping him with his rehabilitation. I have good hopes that he will play football again.”

Kulusevski was officially ruled out of this summer’s World Cup in North America after failing to recover from a persistent patella injury. The forward has not seen competitive action since May 2025, an absence that was initially downplayed by former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou but has since morphed into a year-long nightmare involving multiple surgeries.

Sweden manager Graham Potter admitted it was a “very, very difficult decision” to leave the Spurs man out of his final World Cup squad. Despite Kulusevski’s public efforts to prove his fitness in time for the tournament, the medical reality has forced the Blagult to move forward without one of their most creative sparks.

Dr. Werner has lifted the lid on why the 26-year-old is still struggling to return to top-level competition. Speaking via Sportbladet, the team doctor explained the complexities of the injury that has kept the winger in the treatment room for over 12 months.

“It has been a long story,” Werner explained. “Dejan has done everything to get ready to play World Cup football again. Now he was not ready. This is because he has not played football for over a year. And the medical assessments pointed in one direction. It is a combination of different things.”

The nature of the injury is particularly troublesome for a professional athlete. Werner detailed the physiological hurdles Kulusevski faces, noting that the specific area of damage does not heal like a standard muscle tear or bone break due to a lack of blood flow in the cartilage.

“They are difficult to treat,” Werner continued. “Cartilage has no blood supply and no nerves. They do not heal in the usual way. In addition, his injury is in a place where a lot of strain occurs for a football player. The kneecap slides back and forth over the femur. An enormous compressive force is developed. It is likely that his injury has not healed enough for him to cope with that strain yet.”

It remains to be seen whether Kulusevski will be fit to return in time for next season, as Tottenham start their first full campaign under De Zerbi.

Following his official omission from Sweden's World Cup squad due to a devastating year-long injury, Kulusevski's focus has now fully shifted to the 2026-27 club season. The forward is determined to be ready to work under Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham, and despite the lengthy layoff, national team doctor Jonas Werner remains optimistic about the long-term career prospects for the former Juventus man.

“He won't give up hope,” Werner said, via Sportbladet. “He's getting plenty of help from the club and others who are helping him with his rehabilitation. I have good hopes that he will play football again.”

Kulusevski was officially ruled out of this summer’s World Cup in North America after failing to recover from a persistent patella injury. The forward has not seen competitive action since May 2025, an absence that was initially downplayed by former Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou but has since morphed into a year-long nightmare involving multiple surgeries.

Sweden manager Graham Potter admitted it was a “very, very difficult decision” to leave the Spurs man out of his final World Cup squad. Despite Kulusevski’s public efforts to prove his fitness in time for the tournament, the medical reality has forced the Blagult to move forward without one of their most creative sparks.

Dr. Werner has lifted the lid on why the 26-year-old is still struggling to return to top-level competition. Speaking via Sportbladet, the team doctor explained the complexities of the injury that has kept the winger in the treatment room for over 12 months.

“It has been a long story,” Werner explained. “Dejan has done everything to get ready to play World Cup football again. Now he was not ready. This is because he has not played football for over a year. And the medical assessments pointed in one direction. It is a combination of different things.”

The nature of the injury is particularly troublesome for a professional athlete. Werner detailed the physiological hurdles Kulusevski faces, noting that the specific area of damage does not heal like a standard muscle tear or bone break due to a lack of blood flow in the cartilage.

“They are difficult to treat,” Werner continued. “Cartilage has no blood supply and no nerves. They do not heal in the usual way. In addition, his injury is in a place where a lot of strain occurs for a football player. The kneecap slides back and forth over the femur. An enormous compressive force is developed. It is likely that his injury has not healed enough for him to cope with that strain yet.”

It remains to be seen whether Kulusevski will be fit to return in time for next season, as Tottenham start their first full campaign under De Zerbi.