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Tottenham relegation hero set for immediate exit as transfer preference becomes clear
May 25 2026 18:38 · By Amie Wilson/Sports writer · 12 Reads
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Tottenham Hotspur's Joao Palhinha is reportedly keen on a switch to Sporting CP, despite Spurs holding the option to make his loan spell permanent. The midfielder is currently at the club on a temporary basis from Bayern Munich .
The 30-year-old netted what proved to be the decisive goal that secured Spurs ' top-flight survival on the final day of the season . His strike secured a 1-0 victory over Everton , sending West Ham down to the Championship despite their 3-0 triumph over Leeds.
With the dust barely settled on a deeply disappointing campaign, attention has already turned to summer planning — and Palhinha's future sits high on the agenda.
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According to A Bola , Tottenham hold the option to sign him permanently from Bayern for €30 million (£25.9m). However, any deal hinges on Palhinha himself giving the green light.
The report claims that negotiations between the player and Sporting have been progressing smoothly. It is also suggested that Palhinha deliberately held back from informing Spurs of his desire to depart until their Premier League status was confirmed.
When quizzed on whether he wished to retain the Portugal international at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next season, Roberto De Zerbi said: "Yes I would like to keep him, 100 per cent.
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"We have to start from these people. Before we speak about the players, we have to speak about the people.
"And we have to start. Then, I can't give the place for everyone in the first eleven. Because I want to build two players in each position.
"But for sure, I would like him to stay with me. Like Conor Gallagher and [Rodrigo] Bentancur, the same."
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This season, Palhinha featured 45 times across all competitions, netting seven goals and registering three assists.
The midfielder progressed through Sporting's youth ranks early in his career, eventually making 95 appearances for the senior side.
He secured a permanent transfer to Fulham in 2022, before moving to Bayern Munich two years later.