Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterRoberto de Zerbi is already making summer transfer plans for Tottenham Hotspur - operating on the assumption they will still be in the Premier League, of course.Spurs moved out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, but remain just one point ahead of West Ham United with three games left to play.If Tottenham do get the results they need from their remaining fixtures against Leeds, Chelsea and Everton, they will be hoping to put two awful league campaigns behind them - and de Zerbi knows who he wants signing first to build a new era around. You may like Tottenham Hotspur report: Roberto De Zerbi names first signing in Spurs meeting, as revolution begins Tottenham Hotspur offer incoming boss Roberto De Zerbi 'massive bonus' for first objective: report Tottenham report: Roberto De Zerbi may be prevented from signing former star by 'sporting malaise' Roberto de Zerbi wants Joao Palhinha on a permanent deal at Tottenham HotspurFourFourTwo's essential 2026 World Cup pack!Get your hands on the newest issue of FourFourTwo - our ultimate World Cup pack! Featuring: Englands American dream, Jordan Pickford and Morgan Rogers, Scotlands return, Mauricio Pochettino Q&A, biggest upsets plus a huge wallchart and preview special!View DealJoao Palhinha's recent performances in the Tottenham midfield have stood out after a series of disjointed and incoherent performances from the team side over the course of the campaign.The Portuguese international joined on loan from Bayern Munich last summer having struggled to make an impact at the club following his move from Fulham.Tottenham are reported to have an option to make Palhinha's move permanent this season for a �27m fee.De Zerbi was unequivocal when asked if he wants to club to trigger that clause, saying: "One hundred per cent. We have to start from this type of people.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over."More than players, we need reliable people, reliable players"Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure, but as a guy. I want to see players with the same passion, the same attitude, the same spirit and the same personality. We are lucky to have him with us."Palhinha had found himself out of favour for a spell under Thomas Frank, and appeared from the bench in De Zerbi's first three games in charge.However, his late winning goal after coming on away to Wolves on April 28 earned Spurs their first Premier League win in exactly four months, and he went on to play the full 90 minutes of their win at Villa Park.Realistically, Tottenham now just need to match or better West Ham's results for the rest of the campaign to stay up after a serious relegation scare.The Hammers round off the season by hosting Arsenal, visiting Newcastle, and finally welcoming Leeds to London Stadium.TOPICSJoao PalhinhaRoberto De ZerbiTottenham HotspurSteven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
