A new report has revealed why Tottenham allowed their Joao Palhinha purchase option to expire and whether the Lilywhites retain any hope of landing the midfielder.
Over the last two weeks, it has been widely reported that Tottenham and Sporting Lisbon are locked in a battle for Palhinha’s signature.
The one advantage the Lilywhites may have had in the race is now gone as Spurs’ £26m option to purchase the midfielder has now expired.
Sporting are allegedly willing to make Palhinha their captain and highest-paid player to convince him to return to Lisbon, and new updates from Portugal have now revealed what Spurs are thinking about the situation.
Why Tottenham decided against activating their option to buy Joao Palhinha
According to a report in A Bola (as relayed by Sport Witness), Tottenham opted against activating the £26m clause after holding conversations with the 30-year-old.
The report claims that Palhinha had informed Spurs that his priority is to return to Sporting, with the midfielder making it clear to the North Londoners where he stood.
It is suggested that Tottenham’s decision to forgo the purchase option was not simply about the fee or their finances, but also due to the Portugal international’s stance.
However, interestingly, the report adds that despite the deadline elapsing, the Lilywhites have not given up their hopes of landing the former Fulham man before the new season.
This goes against what others have reported recently. Fabrizio Romano insisted that Palhinha has given Tottenham priority over a move this summer.
Roberto De Zerbi has spoken to Palhinha again about Spurs return
During the final weeks of the season, De Zerbi has stated twice publicly that Palhinha is part of his plans at Tottenham.
A new report in O Jogo (via Sport Witness) has now claimed that the Spurs head coach has spoken with the midfielder again and reiterated his desire to keep him at N17.
It remains to be seen whether the Italian’s words have the desired effect on the Bayern Munich-owned man, who has the whole summer to sort out his future, having been left out of Portugal’s World Cup squad.