Tottenham ready Palhinha transfer as major Bissouma exit hint emerges
Tottenham could target a new defensive midfielder this summer.
Yves Bissouma’s performances in that position were underwhelming last season, with the Mali international often making key mistakes.
And Thomas Frank lacks the option of a natural replacement, with players such as Pape Matar Sarr and Rodrigo Bentancur more suited to a box-to-box role.
Archie Gray is a potential alternative, but the 19-year-old’s readiness for a role of such importance is not clear after a year being forced into defence.
Step forward, Joao Palhinha.
Tottenham target Palhinha loan
Ange Postecoglou experimented frequently with his midfield last season. Bissouma would sometimes feature as the deepest midfielder or be placed in a double pivot.
Although Gray was required to play in the centre of defence amid a defensive injury crisis for much of the season, he was also deployed in midfield towards the end of the campaign.
Postecoglou also selected a midfield three at certain points of the season, with Lucas Bergvall often among the Australians’ options.
It is not yet clear how Frank will approach the midfield, but his set-up at Brentford last season often contained two deeper midfielders.
| Tottenham’s midfielders | Gray | Bentancur | Bissouma | Bergvall | Sarr |
| Appearances in midfield (Premier League 2024/25) | 7 | 26 | 35 | 26 | 36 |
And the Dane suggested that it may be the case at Tottenham too, after selecting Bentancur and Sarr to play in front of the defence as Spurs beat Reading in their first pre-season friendly.
Frank’s favoured midfielder at Brentford was Christian Norgaard. The 31-year-old, who has since moved on to Arsenal, appeared in all but four of the Bees’ Premier League games last season and shielded the defence with long legs, whilst being more than capable on the ball.
That could be the type of midfielder Spurs are looking for this summer, and one name that has been mentioned is that of Palhinha.
The former Fulham man is available this summer, according to The Athletic (22 July), but the North London club’s preference would be for a loan, rather than a permanent move.
Palhinha would add mettle
It was Palhinha’s hugely impressive two years at Fulham that convinced Bayern to spend around £43million on him last summer.
The midfielder was everywhere for the Whites and seemed to be drawn to the ball like a magnet, always winning the tackle.
Palhinha’s two Premier League seasons saw him make 51 more tackles than any other player, an absurd number that suggests the mettle that could be exactly what Spurs want in their midfield.
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