Joao Palhinha ready to reject European giants to join Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich are working on their first transfer of the summer as they opened negotiations with Fulham last week for Joao Palhinha. The Portuguese midfielder is a top target for Bayern to strengthen the midfield department.
The record Bundesliga champions had the first bid worth €35 million rejected by Fulham for Palhinha. They have already agreed personal terms with the 28-year-old midfielder. Bayern hope to sign the Portuguese international for a fee close to€45 million before the start of the European Championship.
Sky Sports in the UK reported on Monday that Manchester United and Barcelona are also interested in signing Palhinha. Fulham values Palhinha double the first bid made by Die Roten. The two clubs remain in talks to reach an agreement over the transfer fee.
As per Sky in Germany, Palhinha is ready to rebuff interest from other European giants in favour of a move to Bayern. Rekordmeister are confident about making Palhinha their first signing of the summer. In an ideal scenario, they reach an agreement with Fulham before Portugal’s first game in Euros on June 18.
Bayern tried to sign Palhinha last summer when they sold Ryan Gravenberch to Liverpool. They had agreed a deal worth €70 million for the Portuguese midfielder on the deadline day. The move fell through in the eleventh hour since Fulham couldn’t secure a replacement for Palhinha. It was a devastating blow for the midfielder as he had completed all formalities of the transfer in Munich.
The Bavarian club didn’t revive interest in Palhinha during the winter transfer window. They had to strengthen the defense in January, leaving no funds for a new midfielder. Die Roten had been linked with several defensive/holding midfielders throughout the season, but Vincent Kompany and Max Eberl believe Palhinha is the ideal fit for the team.
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The arrival of Palhinha in Munich may lead to the departures of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka from Munich. The Bavarian club is open to selling the German midfielders if adequate offers are received. Palhinha will play in Kimmich’s midfield position, which may force him to reconsider his future in Munich.
Goretzka’s future has been subject to speculation throughout last season since he was not first-choice midfielder under Thomas Tuchel. With Aleksandar Pavlovic expected to play more often next season, Goretzka may have to look for a transfer to get adequate game time. The German midfielder needs to play regularly to get back into the German squad after being overlooked for the Euros.