When Bayern sanctioned Palhinha’s loan move, the expectation was that the arrangement could pave the way for a permanent exit.
Vincent Kompany already has the likes of Aleksandar Pavlovic, Joshua Kimmich and Tom Bischof as midfield options, and while Leon Goretzka is expected to leave in the summer, the Bundesliga champions still appear to have sufficient depth in that department.
The Portuguese midfielder is not considered a natural fit for Kompany’s tactical setup, which is why Bayern would reportedly be open to sanctioning a permanent departure this summer.
Tottenham are believed to be keen on negotiating a fee lower than the original £25m purchase option, but unless Palhinha makes his intentions clear, the situation is unlikely to move forward quickly.