The Portugal international defensive midfielder, 30, spent the season on loan at Tottenham from Bayern Munich and made 45 appearances, scoring seven goals from midfield as the club narrowly survived relegation on the final day under Roberto De Zerbi.
De Zerbi has been unequivocal about wanting to keep him.
"One hundred per cent," the Italian said when asked directly by reporters.
Palhinha has echoed that sentiment.
"From the first day I came I felt at home. From the supporters, the crowd. Top club. Who doesn't want to play for Tottenham and stay here?" he told The Guardian. "What I can tell you is that I really would like to be here and I feel very well, even if it has been a tough season."
He added that he believed the difficult campaign would ultimately benefit the club.
"I think next season will hopefully be very different. This season will help Tottenham in the future — analyse the season, what we did wrong, what we did well, and there will be a big improvement and big relief after the season."
Tottenham hold a purchase option on Palhinha believed to be worth between €25 million and €30 million. Bayern are under contract with the player until 2028 and would prefer a permanent sale to a second consecutive loan, with sporting director Max Eberl looking to generate revenue to reinvest this summer.
The complication is Portugal. A Bola reports that talks between Palhinha and Sporting Lisbon have been progressing, with the player understood to harbour a desire to return to the club where he played in the youth system. Sporting see him as a potential replacement for captain Morten Hjulmand, who is attracting interest from clubs across Europe.
Palhinha joined Bayern from Fulham in 2024 for €51 million but never established himself in Vincent Kompany's setup, making just six Bundesliga starts before his loan to Tottenham was agreed.
Whether his heart or his head wins out may not be his decision alone to make.