Sources: De Zerbi wants to keep star whose future is 'out of Tottenham's hands'

Joao Palhinha could snub a permanent move to Tottenham Hotspur in favour of a move to Sporting CP this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

The Portuguese has been heavily linked with a return to his homeland in recent days, and it is understood that he may favour that move for personal reasons in the coming months.

Spurs want to keep the midfielder, with Roberto De Zerbi a big admirer of his, but sources have indicated that the 30-year-old’s future is now “out of Tottenham’s hands.”

Palhinha will be sold by Bayern Munich this summer, but his next move is set to depend almost entirely on his own desires at this stage of his career.

Tottenham have the option to buy Palhinha at the end of his loan spell, but the player’s stance could potentially take a deal out of their reach.

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Palhinha has endured mixed fortunes during his loan spell with Tottenham this season, as he has moved in and out of the starting XI on several occasions throughout the campaign.

He began the season as a key figure under the guidance of Thomas Frank, and caught the eye as the Lilywhites made an impressive start under the Dane.

However, the former Fulham men then fell away during the latter stages of Frank’s reign, and then came in for criticism from supporters during Igor Tudor’s ill-fated stint in charge.

He has since become a key figure once again under De Zerbi in recent weeks, with the Italian in no doubt that he wants Palhinha’s leadership as part of his group for next term.

Football Insider revealed at the start of May that Tottenham want to negotiate a cut-price deal for Palhinha this summer, rather than triggering their option to buy him for around £25million.

Bayern Munich are likely to be receptive to that idea as they aim to get him off their books, but Sporting’s interest could yet throw a spanner in the works.

Football Insider revealed on Monday that Tottenham are working on a new contract for Luka Vuskovic, as the centre-back continues to attract major interest ahead of the summer window.

The 19-year-old is being tracked by several of the world’s elite clubs after an impressive loan spell with Hamburg this term, and Spurs are facing a battle to keep him even if they stay up.

The North Londoners have no desire to lose the youngster this summer, and they are prepared to offer him an improved deal to convince him to stay, despite the fact he is already under contract until 2030.

Vuskovic is seen as a player with potential to become a truly world-class talent at Tottenham, and that has attracted an array of potential suitors for him of late.

Nevertheless, Spurs remain adamant that they cannot afford to lose him, although that could yet be taken out of their hands of they slip into the Championship.

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