Thomas Frank admits was a 'bit surprised' by recent Tottenham transfer deal
Thomas Frank has admitted that he was surprised that Tottenham Hotspur were able to sign Joao Palhinha, just one year after his big-money switch to Bayern Munich, and the Dane has explained why the loan signing works perfectly for Spurs.
It was initially reported that Bayern Munich wanted a permanent sale of Palhinha rather than a temporary deal after Tottenham expressed their interest in the midfielder.
However, Spurs have successfully managed to secure the 30-year-old on a season-long loan deal, along with an option to buy for £26m, which means that there is little to no risk involved for the North Londoners.
Reports indicate that Tottenham expect Palhinha to be a regular in Frank’s starting line-up this season, and the Spurs head coach has now explained why he was pleasantly surprised with the deal.
Thomas Frank shocked at Tottenham’s Joao Palhinha steal
Bayern paid £47m to sign the midfielder from Fulham last summer, but he struggled for game time at the Allianz Arena last season, partly down to his injury woes.
Frank admits that he did not expect the Bundesliga club to make Palhinha available, and revealed that he is over the moon with the signing, as there was a dearth of top-class number sixes in the market this summer.
When asked if he was surprised that Bayern let the Portugal international go, Thomas Frank said (via Football.London): “Yeah, I was a bit surprised. Bayern went hard for him for two years, and for whatever reason, which I actually don’t care about because we can get him, it was an opportunity for us.
“Sometimes everything goes a little bit in circles. Sometimes it is impossible to get a number nine. Sometimes it is impossible to get a number six. Sometimes it is impossible to get a right-back. At this moment in time, there are not many clear number sixes in the market, so we are quite lucky to get him.
“I think he is a top player. He impressed everyone in the Premier League in the two years he was with Fulham. He is a regular for Portugal. Whatever the reason [Bayern let him go], maybe it’s the coach, the culture, the club, or himself. Sometimes it is difficult to say. My concern is that he wanted to come, and we wanted him to come.”
Frank explains why a Palhinha loan move suits Tottenham perfectly
It has been claimed by Sky Sports that Tottenham opted for a loan deal for Palhinha to have more flexibility to spend funds elsewhere.
Frank has now confirmed this, admitting that it gives Spurs more ‘wiggle room’ next summer.
When asked if a loan deal suited all parties, the Tottenham boss said: “That was important for all of us. We need him and his profile, but let’s see how he settles in. The loan with an option always gives us the opportunity to go one step further. When we sign a player, no matter loan or permanent, it’s always for the long term. It just gives us a little bit more wriggling room in a year’s time.”
When Frank was asked if the loan deal also gives Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall another year to grow and develop into finished products, he responded: “Yes, that is a very good point. It is two big talents that I am really pleased are in the building, but it’s also clear they need to grow. Pape has shown that. It’s not about age.
“They are 19, he is 22. It’s not that. Some are ready when they are 19, some at 20, some at 22 or 23, but you can clearly see Pape is just a tiny bit ahead and is a big talent. We have been very pleased with him.”
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