3 weeks ago
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Thomas Frank is claimed to be a big fan of one Tottenham Hotspur signing who has made quite the impression since he joined the north London side on loan this summer.
Tottenham 'can see themselves' triggering their buy option for Joao Palhinha - according to reports. The 30-year-old signed for Spurs on loan from Bayern Munich on a season-long loan deal this summer.
Palhinha had spent two years in the Premier League with Fulham before his £44.4m move to Bayern Munich was confirmed in July 2024. However, the Portugal international struggled during his time at the Allianz Arena. Indeed, he made just 25 appearances across all competitions and was not part of Vincent Kompany's first-choice XI.
Spurs expressed an interest in signing Palhinha before the start of the 2025/2026 season - and then they ended up getting a deal across the line for him to make his debut in the Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain. He scored his first Tottenham goal in the 2-0 win at Manchester City and has made quite the impact since his move.
Due to his impressive performances, Tottenham are seriously contemplating triggering the option to buy Palhinha, according to Sky Sport Germany. It's added that Frank, who replaced Ange Postecoglou as the club's head coach in June, is a 'big fan' and has an 'excellent relationship' with the former Sporting CP midfielder.
A return to Bayern Munich is not expected to occur, due to a lack of game-time last season, though there has not yet been concrete talks between the Bundesliga champions and Tottenham, at this juncture.
The loan has been a success so far and Palhinha is content with his start to life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, having started in each of their first seven Premier League matches this season.
Last month, Palhinha scored his third Tottenham goal and his second at home as he rescued a late 1-1 draw against Wolves. Speaking post-match, he outlined that Frank has allowed him license to get forward more.
Palhinha told Tottenham's official website: "First of all, I feel glad to score these goals, but I think also the coach is demanding sometimes in the game for me to be more inside the box. These goals happen because I am there - if I am not too far from the box - and I tried to get the chances, and today I scored a good goal.
"But if you ask me if I would change the goal for the victory, for sure I would do it, but it is like this."
Next up for Palhinha and Tottenham is the Premier League game against Aston Villa on Sunday, October 19. They then travel to AS Monaco in the Champions League before then making the trip to Everton in the top-flight.
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