Tottenham 'in loan talks' with Bayern Munich over João Palhinha

Tottenham Hotspur are in discussions with Bayern Munich over a potential loan deal for midfielder João Palhinha, according to The Athletic.

Palhinha, 30, joined Bayern from Fulham last summer in a €51 million move but struggled to make a consistent impact in his debut season, starting just 10 of his 25 appearances. With head coach Vincent Kompany favouring the likes of Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Konrad Laimer, Palhinha's role diminished further following Bayern's signing of 20-year-old Tom Bischof from Hoffenheim earlier this window.

Spurs are keen on a temporary move rather than a permanent transfer, aligning with their summer recruitment strategy under new head coach Thomas Frank. The two clubs have already conducted business this summer, with Tottenham securing forward Mathys Tel in a deal worth up to €45 million after his loan spell in north London.

Palhinha became a standout performer at Fulham after arriving from Sporting CP in 2022, making 79 appearances and earning the club’s Player of the Season award in his first year. His experience in the Premier League and reputation as a combative holding midfielder have made him an attractive option for Spurs, who have struggled to find stability in that area.

Tottenham's current holding midfielders, Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma, are both entering the final year of their contracts and have lacked consistency. Palhinha could provide a more reliable presence in the role and free up the likes of James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, and new signing Lucas Bergvall to play further forward.

The Portuguese international would be Spurs' fourth addition of the summer, following the arrivals of Kudus from West Ham for £55 million, Luka Vuskovic from Hajduk Split, and Kota Takai from Kawasaki Frontale.

Tottenham had also made progress toward signing Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White, who underwent a medical before ultimately extending his contract at the City Ground.

While Palhinha would represent a slight shift from Tottenham’s youth-focused transfer policy under sporting director Johan Lange, The Athletic notes that the club views the move as a short-term solution offering vital experience ahead of their Champions League return. A loan would also allow for greater financial flexibility next summer, when teenage talent Archie Gray could be ready to step into the first-team No. 6 role.

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