Joao Palhinha nears €25m transfer from Tottenham to Sporting Lisbon

Joao Palhinha is reportedly set to return to Sporting Lisbon for a fee of €25 million. Despite a successful loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur, Palhinha has chosen to move back to Portugal, partly for family reasons. Tottenham had shown interest in keeping him, but a deal with Bayern Munich for a permanent transfer to Sporting is close. Palhinha will fill the expected gap left by midfielder Morten Hjulmand, who is likely to depart the club. The transfer could finalize as the summer window progresses.

• 2:49 PMYahoo Sports — REPORT: Joao Palhinha close to €25m move to Sporting