Joao Palhinha agrees Tottenham transfer, Eberechi Eze’s dream move to Arsenal under threat as $140m release clause to expire
Tottenham is poised to land a crucial piece of its rebuild under Thomas Frank, but fierce rivals Arsenal are racing the clock to meet a key target’s release clause before it expires.
Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich, talkSPORT understands.
The Portugal midfielder is set to join Spurs on loan for the 2025/26 season – with an option to buy for £26million next summer.
Palhinha will return to the Premier League after just one season with the Bundesliga giants following his £46.5m from Fulham last summer.
It means Bayern Munich will take a £20m hit should the deal be made permanent. The 30-year-old was part of their title-winning side but made only six starts in the league amid fitness issues throughout the 2024/25 campaign.
Bayern first tried to sign Palhinha in the summer of 2023 but saw a £55m move collapse on the final day of the window.
Fulham later set an asking price of £59m but then accepted a £46.5m deal that included around £4.2m in potential add-ons.
Joao Palhinha’s Premier League record Former Sporting Lisbon man Palhinha excelled across his two seasons at Craven Cottage.
He made 66 starts and scored seven goals in the Premier League, and was named as Fulham’s Player of the Season in 2022/23.
Palhinha played for Portugal at the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, featuring three and four times respectively.
A move to Spurs would offer him more Champions League football after their Europa League triumph.
What has Tottenham done in the transfer window?
Thomas Frank’s side have sold midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Marseille for around £17m after his loan spell in France.
Meanwhile, they have added Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso, Luka Vuskovic and Kota Takai to their ranks this summer — spending around £120m in total.
Spurs had a medical booked in for Morgan Gibbs-White before being drawn into a transfer saga with Nottingham Forest.
They initially activated his £60m release clause but Forest lodged a legal complaint against the north London side and their approach for the 25-year-old.
talkSPORT understands that Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis wanted Manchester City to bid for Gibbs-White, who recently ended speculation by signing a new contract.
Marinakis couldn’t resist a parting shot at Tottenham as part of his skipper’s extension announcement.
He said: “As long as I’m in charge of all of these actions, approaches should take place, I repeat, in an appropriate manner.
“I would never let anyone from any other team get a player from us or make something we don’t agree with.
“And especially, as I said, with some guys that they belong to our family. “Therefore, with Morgan, it didn’t take long to come to an agreement. It was a very short conversation, full of passion and love for the club.
“So when you have passion, when you have love for something, it’s a matter of a few seconds to agree. And all our supporters should know that this guy loves the club.”
PAINFUL HURDLE GUNNERS MUST CLEAR FOR $140M DREAM TARGET
Eberechi Eze’s £68million ($A140m) release clause expires at 11:59pm on Friday, talkSPORT understands.
Arsenal are aware of the situation and have already informed Crystal Palace they have no plans to trigger it.
The clause is believed to consist of a £60million fixed fee with add-ons covering the rest.
Arsenal have already held talks with Eze, who has spoken to directly to both sporting director Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta.
The England international is sold on a move to the Emirates Stadium and has indicated personal terms will not be an issue.
Arsenal view Eze as a no. 10, but his ability to also play wide left is seen as an added strength.
The Gunners have delayed making a formal bid for the 27-year-old as they assess their attacking needs.
Ethan Nwaneri can also play through the centre, while Noni Madueke is capable of both deputising Bukayo Saka and switching sides.
Who could leave Arsenal this summer?
It is possible an outgoing is needed prior to Arsenal making a bid for Eze. Arsenal have told suitors including Al Nassr that Gabriel Martinelli is not for sale.
Leandro Trossard also began talks with the club over a new contract, but nothing is signed yet.
As for Eze, initial talks between Arsenal and Palace have already taken place. Bayern Munich have also enquired about the former QPR star.
The removal of Eze’s clause is not likely to change Arsenal’s approach as they have always intended to offer less.
Palace are understood to want at least £35m in a lump sum as part of any deal and a total package similar to the clause.
Arsenal value Eze at under £60million and are hoping to pay a similar package to the £55million paid by Newcastle to Nottingham Forest for Anthony Elanga.
The playmaker only has two years left on his current contract leading Arsenal to believe his current club’s asking price could drop as the window winds down.
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Palace are also braced for offers for captain Marc Guehi with Liverpool considering a bid should the price drop below £40million.
Guehi has told the Eagles he won’t sign a new deal and the Eagles don’t want to lose him on a free.
However, the defender is prepared to run down his contract to ensure he is playing week-in week-out ahead of the World Cup, adding an extra layer of complication to any potential exit.
Originally published as Joao Palhinha agrees Tottenham transfer, Eberechi Eze’s dream move to Arsenal under threat as $140m release clause to expire
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