Taking to Twitter, journalist Jacque Talbot of The Daily Star has made a big Tottenham Hotspur transfer claim involving Sporting Lisbon star Joao Palhinha.
The Lowdown: Spurs linked…
The Lilywhites and transfer chief Fabio Paratici have been linked with a move for the Portugal midfielder before as Spurs reportedly eyed a move in the 2021 summer window.
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Sporting’s mainstay, due to his form over the past year, has attracted major Premier League interest with the tough-tackling Palhinha also having impressed in flashes at Euro 2020.
Now, with the 26-year-old potentially on the move this year, it appears super agent Jorge Mendes is about to offer Spurs a chance to sign him.
The Latest: Talbot makes major claim…
According to the reporter, Palhinha ‘will be offered’ to Spurs, Newcastle, Man United and other Premier League clubs with an ‘agreement in place’ for Mendes to facilitate his exit.
Whilst believing Wolves are the ‘most likely’ to sign him, Talbot believes Paratici’s relationship with Mendes also gives Tottenham a chance.
He explained: “Sporting Lisbon’s Joao Palhinha – heard similar, will be offered to Man United, Spurs, Newcastle, but other Premier League clubs in the running/more likely.
“Agreement in place with Jorge Mendes to forge a move.
“Wolves the most likely, I’m told, but of course, Mendes does have a good relationship with Tottenham’s MD Fabio Paratici.”
The Verdict: Get it done?
Palhinha has a release clause in his Sporting deal worth around €60 million (£50m) according to Record but the player may well be worth that investment going by his stats.
Indeed, the colossal 6 foot 2 anchor has averaged an impressive 3.3 tackles per 90 in the Portuguese top flight this season (WhoScored) – marking himself out as a truly robust option for Spurs boss Antonio Conte.
By comparison to Tottenham’s squad, that’s a far greater number than any Lilywhites player has managed, with Emerson Royal coming the closest but quite far off (2.6).
As Mendes now looks set to offer out Palhinha, Spurs and Paratici may well want to seriously consider a move, especially with Sporting’s manager having already called him a ‘special player’.
In other news: ‘Really hotting up’ – Ex-BBC man say Conte could now axe ‘monster’ Spurs star! Find out more here.