The last two weeks of the transfer window will be calm for Bayern Munich. It is a very rare scenario for a big club to have completed their business in July. Bayern were efficient and proactive in terms of getting their targets for a decent fee.
The Bavarian club will look to trim the size of the squad by listening to offers for fringe players in the final two weeks. Bayern are hoping to get permanent offers for three players: Joao Palhinha, Sacha Boey, and Bryan Zaragoza.
Palhinha is the player who is attracting a lot of interest in the last few days. The Portuguese midfielder is wanted by Aston Villa, but Max Eberl has insisted that a deal at the current conditions is unlikely to happen. Newcastle United have also shown interest in him after missing out on Marseille and former Bayern midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
It does look like the most concrete move has been made by Benfica. According to A Bola (via iMiaSanMia), Bayern have received an offer worth €20 million (€15 million fixed, €5 million in bonuses) from Benfica for Palhinha. The Portuguese midfielder has already agreed personal terms with the former Fulham midfielder.
Bayern reportedly want €30 million for Palhinha. They have no plans to sanction a loan transfer. Palhinha spent last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur. He helped the North London side avoid relegation. Spurs were reportedly keen on signing him, but eventually decided to pursue younger midfielders: Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.
Aston Villa remains in race to sign Palhinha
Despite the intensified efforts from Benfica, Aston Villa remain in contention to sign Palhinha. It is presumed that Palhinha will prefer a move to the Premier League, as he had excellent spells at Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur.
According to The Athletic, Aston Villa have resumed talks with Bayern to sign the Portuguese midfielder. The Midlands club remains keen on signing the midfielder on loan with an option to buy as they look for cover in midfield after losing Amadou Onana to a serious knee injury.
With time running out, it will be interesting to see if Bayern’s stance softens and they open the doors for a loan departure. Palhinha has played for Die Roten in the pre-season, but he will struggle for game time next campaign as three midfielders are ahead of him in the pecking order. Die Roten will hope Villa at least come up with an obligation to buy in the loan deal.
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