It says on BBC Sport that Palacios will move to Spurs subject to gaining a work permit.

Surely he is already got a work permit because he is been playing for Wigan?

Can someone explain to me why he needs one?

Thanks

Perhaps his work permit has expired. They do not last forever

A permit to work is granted primarily on the % of international games the player has been involved in, they are also specific to the employer, so he will need to apply again as his current work permit only alows him to play for Wigan. The FA will then need to see if he qualifies (he will but the paper work still needs to be done.)

Think it is because he has changed contracts so the work permit needs to be updated and needs to go through the correct procedure like looking if he has played in 75% of his international games.

l think they need to request to change the work permit, because he intends to play for wigan
it will be just changing his details l think