There has been a big development over the future of Joao Palhinha, as Tottenham Hotspur and Sporting Lisbon continue to battle it out for the midfielder’s signing.
Regular readers of Spurs Web will be aware that Sporting Lisbon are challenging Tottenham in their pursuit of the 30-year-old, whose future appears to be up in the air.
While some sources have said that Palhinha has given his priority to Spurs, others have suggested that Sporting hold the upper hand in the race for the midfielder.
The former Fulham man may have now got a step closer to sorting out his future as the two clubs continue to battle it out for his signature.
Bayern Munich offer discount on Tottenham target Joao Palhinha
Correio de Manha now claim that while Bayern Munich initially wanted €30m (£26m) for Palhinha, they have now decided to bring down their asking price.
With the midfielder having no future at Bavaria, Vincent Kompany’s men are now ready to sell him for €25m (£21.5m).
However, the report hands Tottenham Hotspur some bad news, revealing that Palhinha ‘welcomes’ a return to Portugal this summer, as he eyes a move back to the club where it all started for him.
The outlet claims that Spurs tried to exercise their £26m purchase option, but they were thwarted by the player, who expressed a desire to return to his home town.
This completely goes against what we have heard from more reliable sources though. Other reports claim Palhinha wants a Tottenham stay, while Fabrizio Romano says the Bayern player is giving priority to Spurs this summer.
How Sporting are tempting Palhinha to Lisbon
According to a previous update from A Bola, Palhinha has rejected all other clubs except Sporting and Tottenham, with the midfielder now deciding between the two clubs.
Sporting are allegedly willing to make Palhinha their captain and their highest earner to convince him to return to Lisbon.
It has also been revealed that De Zerbi has spoken to the 30-year-old again over recent days, and Tottenham will be hoping that the Italian can convince the Portugal international to return to N17 after a strong finish to his loan spell.