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Marc Guehi was a part of the Crystal Palace side that won the FA Cup trophy. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

Tottenham urged to challenge Manchester United for Bundesliga star with Premier League past

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Rohan Sengupta | Last updated Jun 21, 2025 2:30 AM ET

Joao Palhinha is planning to leave Bayern Munich after just one season

There is no surprise that Tottenham Hotspur need to address several areas of the squad this summer after enduring a disastrous domestic campaign.

The lack of squad depth and injury crisis meant Ange Postecoglou’s side finished the Premier League season just a place above the dreaded relegation zone. Now with Postecoglou gone and replaced by Thomas Frank, the responsibility is on chairman Daniel Levy to provide the new boss with the tools required to compete well on multiple fronts next term.

Spurs certainly need some help in the middle of the park. Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur will both enter the final year of their contracts this summer, and it is unlikely that the Lilywhites allow either of them to depart on a free transfer. The possibility of Bissouma being sold remains high, with the Malian international attracting significant interest from clubs across Europe.

If Bissouma departs, Tottenham will have to replace him in the squad without any second thoughts. As such, reputable Spurs podcast Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham has urged Spurs to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha.

Since moving to Bayern Munich from Fulham last summer, Joao Palhinha has failed to establish himself in the first team under Vincent Kompany. Thanks to intense competition in the middle of the park and an injury, he was limited to 17 Bundesliga appearances this past term—with only six coming as a starter.

After just one season in Bavaria, the Portugal international is planning to leave the club. Manchester United are contemplating signing the defensive midfielder, who could be available for just £25million. John Wenham wants Tottenham to beat Manchester United to the signing of Palhinha as he feels the Lilywhites needs an “experienced defensive midfielder”.

“Tottenham need an experienced defensive midfielder,” Wenham exclusively told Tottenham News.

“That should be a priority this summer. I saw reports that Palhinha is available for £25m, and Manchester United are looking at him.

“It should be Tottenham who are looking at him, we’re desperate for a player of his quality.”

A robust, tough-tackling defensive midfielder, Palhinha’s signing would make a lot of sense for Tottenham. Having leaked goals at an alarming rate last season, Frank could do with a destroyer-type profile in the middle of the park, someone whose job will be to screen the backline and bring much-needed balance to the side.

The Portuguese fits that criteria perfectly, and his Premier League and Champions League experience only adds further value besides his name. He quickly made his name in the Premier League for Fulham with his tenacious tackles and crunching challenges, and a ball-winner of such ilk is desperately needed at Tottenham next season.

However, Palhinha is 29 and into the peak of his powers, which is in contrast to Tottenham’s recruitment strategy of recent years. But if Daniel Levy makes an exception and Frank pushes for his signature, Palhinha could be a valuable addition to the North Londoners’ roster.

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

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