João Palhinha said he wants to stay at Tottenham Hotspur after scoring the goal that secured the club's Premier League survival [1].
The midfielder's desire to remain in London comes at a critical juncture for the club, which narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of the season. His ability to deliver in high-pressure moments has made him a primary target for a permanent transfer as manager Roberto De Zerbi looks to stabilize the squad.
Palhinha, who is currently on loan from Bayern Munich, played a pivotal role in the match against Everton on Sunday, May 25, 2026 [1, 2]. His single decisive goal [1] ensured that Tottenham remained in the top flight, while sending West Ham down [4].
Following the match, Palhinha expressed his commitment to the project in North London. "Who doesn’t want to play for Tottenham and stay here?" he said [1]. He said that he wants to stay at the club [2].
Manager Roberto De Zerbi has also voiced his strong support for the midfielder's permanent arrival. "I 100% want to make this permanent," De Zerbi said [1].
Tottenham holds an option to sign Palhinha permanently. While some reports place the fee at £25.9 million [3], other sources indicate the option is for approximately €30 million, or £26 million [1].
The club's management must now decide whether to trigger the option to avoid the volatility of the loan market and ensure the midfielder remains part of the squad for the next campaign.
“"Who doesn’t want to play for Tottenham and stay here?"”
The permanent acquisition of Palhinha would represent a strategic pivot for Tottenham, moving from a reliance on temporary loan talent to securing a proven defensive presence. Given the narrow margin of their survival, the club's willingness to spend roughly £26 million reflects a need for immediate stability to avoid a repeat of this season's relegation struggle.
