for weeks, tottenham The Joao Palinha saga seemed to be losing ground. The story coming out of Portugal appears to be taking the midfielder back to Sporting.
Both club and player were alignedBayern Munich were willing to listen, and Spurs were increasingly looking like the club were trying to prevent an emotional reunion – and were doomed to fail.
Now, for the first time in some time, a Portuguese newspaper is presenting a very different story.
according to gamePalhinha is now much closer to staying at Tottenham than returning to Lisbon.
tottenham are suddenly gaining the lead
The report describes Palhinha as priority goal of the game To replace Morten Hjulmand this summer. That part hasn't changed.
What has changed is confidence about the results. Ojogo claims the Portugal international is now preparing to "slip through Sporting's fingers", increasing the chances of Tottenham retaining him.
The newspaper doesn't provide precise details as to why the balance has changed, but the message is quite clear.
Following weeks of reports highlighting the player's desire to return to Portugal, his family situation, salary sacrifice and Sporting's efforts behind the scenes, O Jogo now watches Tottenham as a more likely destination.
Sporting may need a Plan B after all
The biggest consequence of that belief is what it means for Sporting's transfer strategy. For most of this saga, Sergi Altimira gradually faded into the background as Palhinha moved to center stage. Now he is back.
O Jogo explains that Sporting is effectively playing on two boards: Palhinha as the priority target and Altimira as an option. The problem is that both situations are becoming more complex.
According to the report, Real Betis are expecting a formal offer from RB Leipzig in the coming days, with the Bundesliga side having already reached a basic understanding on a deal worth more than €20m (£17.2m).
This creates pressure. If Sporting continues to wait for Palhinha and Leipzig to make a first move, they risk losing the player seen as their main option.
A different mood is emerging in Portugal
Recently, Portuguese outlets were reporting that Sporting and Palhinha were close to a deal, with the midfielder Are willing to take a significant cut in their salaryAnd that the club was preparing a leading role for him in Rui Borges' team.
Hey Jogo isn't necessarily dismissing those factors. Instead, they are suggesting that Tottenham's chances have swelled to such an extent that Sporting's plans could actually be threatened.
This doesn't mean the saga is over. Far away from. Bayern still own the player, Tottenham remain interested and Sporting have not given up hope.
But after weeks of hearing why Palhinha could move back to Lisbon, this is perhaps the strongest signal yet from the Portuguese side that a permanent stay in north London remains a very realistic possibility.
And if O Jogo is right, Sporting will soon have to stop treating the Altimira as a backup plan and start treating him as the main one.
🇳🇱 From the Netherlands: Cody Gakpo has told Liverpool he wants out ➡️Tottenham is waiting for him https://t.co/WCRfSbUNOJ #lfc #THFC
- Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 13 June 2026
