TBR Football can exclusively confirm that Tottenham Hotspur have got the signing of Joao Palhinha over the line.
TBR Football first revealed Tottenham’s interest in Palhinha three weeks ago, and now Spurs have secured the services of the Portuguese midfielder.
Palhinha wants to return to London after struggling to break into Vincent Kompany’s side over the course of the 2024/25 campaign.
Bayern paid £47million for Palhinha last summer from Fulham, but the 30-year-old went on to make just 17 Bundesliga appearances.
TBR Football can confirm what Tottenham have in store for Palhinha at N17, what he thought of Thomas Frank, and which player is now expected to leave to make room for Palhinha.
Photo by Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images via Getty ImagesTottenham hope Joao Palhinha can become key player for Thomas Frank
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Palhinha has signed for Tottenham and that the deal is done, with the announcement likely to come on Saturday.
The deal is a season-long loan with option to buy, and Tottenham will be paying Palhinha’s salary.
Spurs hope Palhinha will quickly win a regular starting spot and become a key player for Thomas Frank.
Palhinha’s arrival means an outgoing is on the cards and, as we have mentioned previously, it is likely to be Yves Bissouma.
“Spurs are really happy to get Palhinha – they loved him at Fulham and to get him now just 12 months on is huge for them,” Bailey exclusively told TBR Football.
“Palhinha was won over by Thomas Frank as soon as they talked, am told they are delighted to be working together.
“There are real high hopes that Palhinha comes in and becomes a key cog in Frank’s team – and they think he will.”
READ MORE: What Thomas Frank said to Tottenham’s players in the dressing room before they beat Arsenal
What Joao Palhinha will bring to Tottenham
Premier League fans will be familiar with Palhinha’s credentials as the player made a name for himself as a superb defensive midfielder at Fulham.
“Pal is an animal in that defensive midfield role,” Harry Kane said of Palhinha in a 2023 press conference.
João Palhinha made over 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ more tackles than 𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐄 else in the Premier League over his last two seasons at Fulham 💪
Spurs are getting a destroyer 🛡️ pic.twitter.com/o0SWQJ1xh3
— LiveScore (@livescore) August 1, 2025
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“I’ve had many battles against him. He tackles, he intercepts, he reads the game really well – so he’s a great addition.”
Palhinha isn’t afraid to get physical or put a foot in, and this is exactly what Tottenham need in a midfield that was overrun far too often last season.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are trying to sell Bissouma, as revealed by TBR Football, and Fabio Paratici is currently working to find the Antonio Conte signing a new club.