Boost for Paratici as ‘aggressive’ Tottenham target’s price tag starts to plummet – report

Tottenham Hotspur could be set for a huge boost in their attempts to land the signing of Joao Palhinha this summer, as the price tag of the Sporting Lisbon star plummets.

According to a story published by O Jogo last week [via Sport Witness], it was claimed that Antonio Conte’s outfit are currently monitoring the 26-year-old’s situation in Portugal and are eyeing the signing of a player in his midfield position ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

It still looks highly likely that the Lisbon club are planning on selling the 12-cap international at the end of the season, but following a new update, it seems as though Sporting are resigned to the fact that they might have to let him leave for less than they initially wanted.

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In a fresh article by Correio da Manha (via Sport Witness), it has been reported that Palhinha is at the ‘top of the list’ to depart the Primeira Liga club, with the previous demand of the €40m (£33.5m) price tag now seeming ‘impossible’ to be reached by those interested.

The source added that Sporting are set to reduce the asking fee to €30m (£25.1m), resulting in an appealing price drop of just over £8m.

The £23.4m-rated talent has made 36 appearances in all competitions for Ruben Amorim’s side this term, netting three goals in that time (as per Transfermarkt), but he hasn’t had the best campaign, with injuries and suspensions prompting multiple spells out of the team.

As a result, Palhinha has lost his place in the Portugal national team, so it’s little wonder that Sporting have been left with no choice but to decrease their asking price for the 26-year-old.

Nonetheless, having once described as an “aggressive” player by former Sporting