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Marco Bello-Reuters via Imagn Images

Tottenham hero ready to swap Yves Bissouma for Iberian enforcer

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Rohan Sengupta | Last updated Jul 28, 2025 4:43 PM ET

Tottenham have ramped up their interest in signing Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha as a potential Yves Bissouma replacement

Having converted the loans of Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel into permanent deals, Tottenham Hotspur have further added Mohammed Kudus to their attacking ranks, alongside Japanese defensive prospect Koto Takai.

Coming closer to adding Morgan Gibbs-White to their side, if not for Nottingham Forest making legal complaint to the Premier League and forcing a deal to collapse, the Lilywhites are not letting that hinder their transfer plans for further incomings. They are scouring the market for Gibbs-White alternatives, as per Fabrizio Romano, whilst looking to add a No.6 to Thomas Frank’s squad.

Now, Spurs are looking to ramp up their interest in Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha. The Portugal international swapped Fulham for Bayern Munich last summer, and while he ended up winning the Bundesliga title in his debut season, his contributions towards the club’s success were pretty limited.

With the World Cup set to take place next summer and his place in Vincent Kompany’s XI not guaranteed, Joao Palhinha is open to quitting Bayern Munich after just one year. And with Bayern now valuing him at around £21 million, the North Londoners have set their sights on landing the 30-year-old.

Ex-Tottenham goalkeeper feels Joao Palhinha would be an ideal replacement for Yves Bissouma

As per Football London journalist Alasdair Gold, Tottenham must sell to buy first. Bayern are not willing to sanction a loan move for Palhinha, meaning the Lilywhites will need to buy the player outright. In order to sign the Portuguese enforcer, it is imperative the Hotspur Way chiefs make room in the squad by moving on a central midfielder.

Yves Bissouma is the most likely candidate to be moved off the club’s payroll. The Mali international is wanted by Fenerbahce, and if our club chiefs can quickly move him on, wrapping up a deal for Palhinha may become easier. He has just one year left on his contract and Spurs are open to cashing him in this summer.

And former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson thinks Palhinha would be the perfect replacement for Yves Bissouma at White Hart Lane.

“I don’t think Bissouma has hit the levels that people expected him to since he’s been there,” Paul Robinson exclusively told Tottenham News.

“I think somebody like Palhinha coming in, again, that’s improving what you’ve got. If you’re going to let players like Bissouma leave, there’s potential that others could depart.

“But a player like Palhinha coming in, I know there’s finances involved, but when you look at it from a fan’s point of view, would you trade Palhinha for Bissouma? Yeah, absolutely. Would you bring in a better player? Yeah.”

Palhinha would be an instant upgrade on Bissouma

Bissouma’s future at Tottenham is uncertain, and not for the first time. This is because the African star has failed to deliver the goods consistently for the North London club since arriving from Brighton in 2022, thanks to a combination of injury problems and off-the-field issues.

Time has seemingly run out for Bissouma, as the Hotspur Way bosses are now planning to move him on and sign Palhinha. The ex-Fulham is a proven defensive midfielder, and he would be an instant upgrade on Bissouma. Not only would he provide much-needed security to the backline, but also add balance to Frank’s Tottenham side.

All in all, the Portugal international’s signing could turn out to be a transformative one for us.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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