Joao Palhinha is in line for a big pay rise after Premier League trio Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves failed to tempt Sporting Lisbon into a summer sale, according to A Bola.
If this weekend taught us anything, it’s Bruno Lage and Nuno Espirito Santo would probably snap your arm off at the elbow for a bullish ball-winner like the 6ft 4in Portugal international.
Wolverhampton Wanderers failed to contain Thomas Frank’s buzzing Bees during a shock 2-0 home defeat to Brentford on Saturday while, 24 hours later, Spurs looked about as secure as a picket fence outside Area 51 as Chelsea ran riot in north London.
Would things have been different with Palhinha providing a sheet of steel in front of a vulnerable back line?
Considering the former Braga loanee has averaged 3.5 successful tackles per game so far in 2021/22 – a tally far higher than anyone at Spurs or Wolves have mustered (WhoScored) – the answer may be a resounding ‘yes’.
Should Tottenham and Wolves have pushed harder for Sporting star Palhinha?
In June, Iberian publication Record claimed Leicester City, Everton and Tottenham had all made enquiries about Palhinha.
Wolves, meanwhile, are long-time admirers of a man Nuno Espirito Santo tried to sign in 2020 too, Bruno Lage seemingly picking up where his predecessor left off, albeit with similar results.
But none of the quartet were willing – or able – to trigger the £51 million release clause in Palhinha’s contract.
And, after Sporting turned down a number of offers in the region of £25 million, the saga lost focus quicker than Universal Pictures’ doomed Dark Universe project.
According to A Bola, Palhinha could now be rewarded for his performances – and loyalty – with a substantial pay rise, one that would increase his weekly wage to somewhere in the region of £20,000.
After playing a major role in Sporting’s first Primeira Liga triumph since the days of a buck-toothed Cristiano Ronaldo, this feels like a fitting reward for Palhinha’s efforts.
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