Tottenham Hotspur Find ‘World Class’ Adam Wharton Alternative With Sellers ‘Open to Talks’

Despite winning the 2024/25 Europa League, and therefore breaking a 17-year trophy drought, Tottenham Hotspur aim to bolster their side in this summer transfer window as new manager Thomas Frank will hope to eclipse their previous 17th-place finish in the Premier League. Whilst fans want Adam Wharton to move to North London, it appears that Tottenham Hotspur have their eyes on Joao Palhinha as an alternative.

Tottenham Hotspur Monitoring Joao Palhinha As Adam Wharton Alternative

Bayern Munich Open to Talks

Florian Plettenberg has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are “monitoring” Palhinha’s situation at Bayern Munich. He reports that they have an interest in the midfielder, though it is not concrete as of yet. This comes just a year after the “world-class” Portuguese international left Fulham for almost £50 million.

The player’s camp has been informed, whilst Bayern Munich are “open to talks” if a suitable offer comes in for the 30-year-old; he made just six league starts last year. However, Spurs are looking at a loan move rather than a permanent transfer. A temporary spell could make this a better alternative than Wharton, who would cost a hefty fee. Signing a stopgap could give the likes of Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray, and Pape Matar Sarr enough time to develop into a Champions League-level midfielder.

What Qualities Would Joao Palhinha Bring?

The benefit of bringing in Palhinha is that they get an experienced defensive midfielder. At 30-years-old he is mature and has plenty of seasons under his belt. Furthermore, he is a strong, holding midfielder; Spurs have a few central options, most of whom are box-to-box runners, but Palhinha is the perfect composed number six to sit back and read the game.

He is strong in a tackle but has the positional awareness to time one right, whilst he controls the tempo well as a playmaker on the ball. After a season in which Tottenham conceded the 16th most goals in the league, many of which were through counter-attacks, this is a necessary signing.