Roberto De Zerbi has already approved £27m Spurs signing | OneFootball

Tottenham Weigh Permanent Deal as Palhinha Wins Over De Zerbi

Midfield Stability Emerging at Spurs

Roberto De Zerbi wants Tottenham Hotspur to make Joao Palhinha’s loan move from Bayern Munich permanent this summer, according to the Daily Mail, with the club holding an option to sign the midfielder for £27million.

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There has been a curious quality to Tottenham’s season, a campaign shaped by tactical resets, changing voices in the dugout and an endless search for midfield balance. Through that uncertainty, Palhinha has gradually become something more dependable than spectacular, which may explain why De Zerbi appears so convinced.

“‘One hundred per cent,’ said De Zerbi when asked if he would like to keep Palhinha at the club next season.”

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That certainty matters. Tottenham have spent much of the last year trying combinations rather than building partnerships. Palhinha, however, offers structure in a team that has too often drifted emotionally and tactically through matches.

Villa Performance Changes Conversation

The timing of Palhinha’s latest display could hardly have been better. Starting for the first time in four games, the Portugal international impressed in Spurs’ 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, a result that lifted the club further away from relegation trouble after collecting seven points from three matches.

“‘Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure, but as a guy. I want to see players with the same passion, the same attitude, the same spirit and the same personality.’”

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De Zerbi’s comments felt revealing. Managers often praise ability, but his emphasis here centred around reliability and mentality. Tottenham have possessed talented midfielders throughout the season, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma among them, but consistency has remained elusive.

Palhinha’s value increasingly lies in the calm he brings to chaotic moments.

Permanent Move Growing More Likely

Only weeks ago, there was genuine uncertainty over whether Spurs would activate the option to buy. His role under previous managers fluctuated heavily, and at times he appeared another short term solution in a confused squad build.

Yet performances against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa have shifted perception. His winning goal at Molineux ended a damaging 15 match winless league run, while his partnership with Bentancur against Villa gave Tottenham a level of midfield authority rarely seen this season.

“‘Palhinha did not play the first three games and the fourth he was one of the best players on the pitch,’ said De Zerbi.”

Sometimes football decisions become less complicated over time. This increasingly feels like one of them.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Spurs fans have spent large parts of the season watching midfield combinations come and go without any real sense of identity. One week the side looked technically gifted, the next physically overwhelmed. Palhinha changes the emotional rhythm of games.

Supporters will appreciate that De Zerbi appears to value character as much as talent. Tottenham squads in recent years have often lacked resilience during difficult periods, particularly away from home or after setbacks in matches. Palhinha brings edge, discipline and authority, qualities supporters tend to admire quickly.

The £27million fee also feels increasingly reasonable in the current market. For a player with Premier League experience, international pedigree and tactical intelligence, it no longer appears a gamble. If anything, there may be concern that delaying the decision could encourage interest from elsewhere.

There is also the wider issue of balance. Spurs have accumulated technical midfielders but not always functional ones. Palhinha allows more creative players around him to operate with freedom. That alone could become crucial under De Zerbi, whose systems demand positional intelligence and defensive awareness behind attacking movement.

Most importantly, supporters will see somebody who genuinely looks committed to the shirt. After a turbulent season, that counts for plenty.