Christian Falk Says Joao Palhinha to Tottenham Transfer is Now "100% Dead"

Tottenham have been busy this summer, but one deal will not be going through. Spurs are in the midst of a record summer transfer window, spending more than £235million, which is the most they have ever spent, and it makes them the world's biggest spenders so far this summer. Roberto De Zerbi has been fully backed after keeping the North London club in the Premier League, and there is no sign of the transfer business slowing down. Spurs are now focusing on improving their attack, and we are likely to see a winger signing, and potentially a striker signing before the end of the window. But De Zerbi will not be granted one of the wishes he had coming into the summer Tottenham will now pass on re-signing Joao Palhinha Despite earlier negotiations, Tottenham are not going to be re-signing Joao Palhinha, who impressed during a loan spell with the club last season. The Portugal international was one of the few consistent Spurs players in a dire season, but he was not snapped up on the pre-agreed £25.9million option to buy. Discussions followed over a cheaper fee, but Bayern paid big money for Palhinha, and they held strong. Meanwhile, Spurs went and signed two pricey midfielders in Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, effectively ending any chances of a deal. German journalist Christian Falk said: "It is TRUE: Talks with Tottenham over signing João Palhinha are 100% dead in the water. Palhinha would also be keen to return to his native Portugal. Sporting Lisbon are keen on him, but the problem is that Bayern want to make another sale, while the former wish to secure a loan deal for the holding midfielder with a buy-option attached after a year. "Bayern are firm: they want the money now. They had calculated that they would get €30m-35m if Tottenham had triggered his buy clause. Spurs won’t do that now, so Bayern want to get this money elsewhere. So, a loan wouldn’t be the perfect solution for the club, which is why this is going to take some time. “ De Zerbi wanted to bring back Palhinha Speaking at the end of last season, Spurs boss De Zerbi said when asked if he wanted to keep Palhinha: "100 per cent [I want to keep him next season)]. We have to start with [those] types of people. More than players, we need reliable people, reliable players. Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure, but as a guy. “I want to see the player with the same passion, the same attitude, the same spirit, the same personality, and we are lucky to have with us Palhinha.” Despite those comments, it's important to note than De Zerbi didn't know Tonali and Fernandes would be signed, which may have changed his mind. Both players are top level options, and with Pape Matar Sarr, Conor Gallagher and Rodrigo Bentancur at the club, it doesn't leave much room for Palhinha.