Tottenham to submit €20m midfielder offer as Nuno eyes new Hojbjerg partner

Pedro Neto celebrating with Joao Palhinha, Portugal, 2021

Tottenham are reportedly ready to submit a firm offer for Portugal international Joao Palhinha before the summer transfer window closes on August 31.

According to a report from Record, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are expected to make a €20million move for the 26-year-old defensive midfielder. However, his club Sporting Lisbon value the player at double that price.

At this last stage of the window it remains to be seen whether the two clubs can reach a compromise.

Palhinha impressed for his country at Euro 2020. He would also be expected to compete for a starting spot in north London.

Spurs already have Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg as their midfield destroyer. However, it would appear that Nuno wants another defensive pivot to act as the base for an exciting attack.

Tottenham are still hopeful of keeping talisman Harry Kane. But they also want to add Wolves winger Adama Traore and Lyon playmaker Houssem Aouar to their ranks before the window shuts.

24 August Transfer Chatter - Liverpool's Mbappé plan, Spurs target USA midfielder and West Ham identify Lingard alternative

24 August Transfer Chatter - Liverpool's Mbappé plan, Spurs target USA midfielder and West Ham identify Lingard alternative

Liverpool will attempt to sign Kylian Mbappé in January on a pre-contract agreement as talks with PSG halt, Spurs to move for Juventus' Weston McKennie and West Ham identify Jonathan Bamba as an alternative to Manchester United's Jesse Lingard, all in today's transfer chatter.

That would potentially give Nuno a devastating attacking quartet, when Son Heung-Min is also added to the mix.

Quality over quantity for Spurs

Quite where that leaves the likes of Dele Alli, Lucas Moura, Steven Bergwijn, Gionavi Lo Celso and Bryan Gil remains to be seen. However, Spurs still have plenty of work to do to get any more deals over the line.

Tottenham have already improved their goalkeeping department with the arrival of Pierluigi Gollini. Cristian Romero has also arrived to bolster their backline, while Gil is an exciting attacking prospect.

If Palhinha does arrive in north London, it would almost certainly mean the end for Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko. Talented playmaker Tanguy Ndombele is also expected to move on after being frozen out by Nuno.

Indeed, if all of Tottenham’s plans come to fruition before August 31 then they could have a very different-looking squad to last season’s.

READ MORE: Chelsea and Tottenham poised for talks over winger with £68m release clause