Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Sat 2 August 2025 10:00, UK

Yves Bissouma is surely finished now at Tottenham after the latest “freak” news that shows manager Thomas Frank has already moved on without him.

PL pre-season fixtures: Follow Frank's first North London Derby	Liverpool latest: Reds sales under Hughes up to £190m	£44m Liverpool player has quietly sent pre-season message to Arne Slot with starting spot under threat - opinion

The 28-year-old’s time in North London has been filled to the brim with highs and lows, but after arriving from Brighton on a £25million deal in 2022 [BBC Sport], he has failed to live up to expectations.

Supporters certainly feel that their club drew the short straw from deals with the Seagulls, with Liverpool landing Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea sealing a £115m deal for Moises Caicedo [BBC Sport].

Having now reached 100 appearances for the Lilywhites, Ange Postecoglou has left Frank with a difficult decision to make over his overspilling selection of midfielders.

Lucas Bergvall and Pape Sarr are already shining much brighter than the Mali international, and while Rodrigo Bentancur is in a similar situation, contract-wise, he has shown far more promise.

(Credit Imago)

If Frank wanted to show any less confidence in the former Brighton man, it would be to bring in a brand-new figure to help command the middle of the park, and that is exactly what has happened.

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES

Formerly of Fulham, Spurs have all but announced their deal to sign Bayern Munich’s Joao Palhinha on loan for the 2025/26 campaign, and supporters are extremely excited about the transfer.

While the purchase clause in the deal is not mandatory, the Lilywhites are set to splash 10million (£8.7million) covering the Portuguese figure’s wages until next summer.

Rather than trust what is already within the squad, Frank, while he is entitled to, has chosen to throw money at another experienced former Premier League midfielder instead.

The 30-year-old midfielder is an absolute freak when it comes to winning challenges and turning the ball over into a counter-attack, but his move to the Bundesliga has backfired completely.

Mick Brown told Football Insider in June that Fulham had held internal talks over a Palhinha return, but a deal never materialised, and the Lilywhites have now stolen into the lead for his signature.

Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha.

(Credit: Imago)

If Bissouma ever needed a bigger sign to seal his exit from North London, he has now been given that, but he is unlikely to go anywhere before the 2025/26 campaign kicks off in just over two weeks.

Mick Brown also told Football Insider that Tottenham are open to offers for Bissouma, but it remains to be seen which teams would be willing to take him, given Spurs want to make most of their money back.

Frank’s side can make the move for Palhinha permanent next summer if he impresses in North London, and it could be seen as the beginning of the end for one of the current Spurs stars.

Related Posts


For more news relating to Spurs, visit our sister site Spurs Latest Live.