The Tottenham manager was effusive about the 30-year-old Portugal international after his side's 2-1 win at Aston Villa on Sunday, in which Palhinha made his first start under De Zerbi following three appearances from the bench.
"I love Palhinha. When I see a player who plays with so much passion, it drives me crazy."
He had not demanded the midfielder's habit of celebrating every won tackle, but made clear he considered it a sign of exactly the competitive character he values.
The declaration shifts the narrative somewhat. Prior to Sunday's match, multiple reports in England and Germany suggested Tottenham were unlikely to activate the clause, with the club's precarious league position — two points above the relegation zone — making financial commitments extremely difficult to plan.
Palhinha had been benched under De Zerbi's two predecessors for long stretches of the campaign, raising doubts about his long-term fit in north London.
Bayern Munich paid around €50 million for Palhinha from Fulham in 2024 but he never found a role under Vincent Kompany. The Allianz Arena club are keen to move him on permanently this summer rather than absorb him back into a squad that has no space for him.
Bayern have indicated they would entertain a renegotiation of the €30 million fee if Spurs remain in the Premier League and wish to keep the player, given that forcing him back to Munich serves no one's interests.
Tottenham also have the option of allowing the loan to expire and assessing a fresh proposal in the summer, though Bayern have signalled they would prefer a direct sale. Palhinha has made 42 competitive appearances for Spurs this season, scoring five goals. His contract at the Allianz Arena runs until 2028.