Industry expert reveals Tottenham need to 'convince' loan star to stay at the club this summer
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Football Insider or go back to LFC Live.
(Credit: Mang Tung, Breaking Media) Sun 10 May 2026 11:43, UK Tottenham will have to prove to Joao Palhinha that it will be worth the Bayern Munich midfielder making a permanent switch to the club this summer.That is the view of former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, amid reports that Spurs will be looking to keep Palhinha next season.The 30-year-old, with previous experience at Fulham, is on loan at Spurs from Bayern Munich for the campaign, with a £25million option to buy included in the deal.Spurs could look to attempt to lower that fee if they remain in the Premier League, with Roberto De Zerbi’s side facing a battle to stay in the top flight.Transfer activity at Spurs will depend on whether they maintain their Premier League status, with De Zerbi’s team currently on course to beat the drop. ✈️ Tottenham Hotspur Transfer News ✈️ Breaking news on deals in progress, signings, departures, and contract news from the Spurs boardroom. VISIT THE TRANSFER HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Tottenham attempting to create transfer narrative Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Palhinha joining Spurs is “more likely” than the north London club signing other players they have been linked with this summer.Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks that Spurs need to confirm their Premier League survival before attempting to sign Palhinha.Games Started20Successful Passes81%Chances Created6Duels Won62.6%Joao Palhinha’s 2025-26 Premier League stats at Tottenham.He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Palhinha to Spurs is a bit more likely, but this all depends on relegation.“They could be linked with anybody they want to right now, but we all know with relegation, it’ll be a fire sale.
This is all about what ifs at the moment, and let’s not get dragged into this narrative that I think Spurs are trying to create, and let’s be realistic.“Spurs have to get themselves mathematically safe before that, and then they’ve also got to convince these players of that sort of quality that there is something worth coming to.”Tottenham hit with Micky van de Ven blowSpurs defender Micky van de Ven is one player that the club will be expecting to lose in the summer, regardless of whether they remain in the Premier League.Liverpool have been in pursuit of the defender, and sources have now told Football Insider that contract talks between van de Ven and Spurs have stalled.The 25-year-old’s contract at Spurs does not expire until 2029, but they had hoped to tie the Dutchman down to a new long-term deal.Van de Ven could be eyeing up European football, with Liverpool set to not be the only club who will look to sign him this summer. Don’t Miss a Beat: Your Tottenham Hotspur Insider Access Get the full story from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Hotspur Way with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from N17 and Hotspur Way.