Bayern Munich players will return to Germany over the weekend after a successful pre-season tour of Asia. The defending Bundesliga champions clinched victories in the two friendly games, with the latest win coming against Aston Villa on Friday. Bayern also admitted that this tour was a commercial success for them.
The Bavarian club will have a full-strength squad available for training next week. Barring Lennart Karl and Serge Gnabry, Vincent Kompany will have all players fit for the next friendly game.
Bayern are not looking to add more players to the squad. They have shut the door on the prospect of more signings. However, the Bavarian club is keen on trimming the squad. They are currently looking to part ways with three senior players.
Joao Palhinha is one of the three players who have been told to seek a transfer from Bayern. The Portuguese midfielder has been getting minutes for Bayern during the pre-season. However, Die Roten have told Palhinha that he will struggle for game time in the first team next season.
Aston Villa have been heavily linked with Palhinha since Amadou Onana suffered a serious injury at the World Cup. While speaking to Bild (via Sport Witness), Aston Villa sporting director Damian Vidagany confirmed that they are in talks with Bayern over Joao Palhinha.
"We need a midfielder because Amadou Onana is out for the entire season – and João Palhinha is a very good player who would fit our plans. We are in talks, but there is currently no agreement."Damian Vidagany, AVFC director
The game against Bayern in Hong Kong on Friday would have presented Aston Villa to have face-to-face talks for Palhinha. The Portuguese player will be open to this transfer as he gets to play in the Premier League and Champions League next season.
Bayern are looking for a permanent transfer for Palhinha. They had inserted an option to buy worth €30 million in the loan deal with Tottenham Hotspur last summer. However, the North London side decided against pursuing a permanent deal for Palhinha.
Benfica have also shown interest in Palhinha, but the Portuguese club is yet to make a concrete bid for him. It remains to be seen if Benfica will propose a fee closer to Bayern’s expectations for the former Fulham midfielder. Palhinha reportedly rejected a move to Saudi Arabia earlier this transfer window.
Bayern have decided their options in midfield next season
The defending Bundesliga champions will look to resolve Palhinha’s future in the coming weeks. They will hope Villa end up paying the required fee for the Portuguese midfielder and complete a permanent transfer.
Bayern will not look to sign a replacement for Palhinha. They have a settled core in the center of the park for next season. Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic are the first-choice midfielders, while Tom Bischof will be the third option in the central midfield. Bara Sapoko Ndiaye will be the fourth midfield option after completing a permanent move to Bayern in July.
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