Bayern Munich are not planning wholesale changes to the squad this summer. The Bavarian club will look to add 3-4 signings to replace the departing players. Leon Goretzka and Raphael Guerreiro are leaving Bayern Munich on a free transfer, while Sacha Boey is expected to seal a permanent transfer after spending the second half of the season on loan at Galatasaray.
The Bundesliga champions also have to find solutions for fringe players who left the club on loan last summer. Joao Palhinha is one of the few senior players in the first team who left Munich to join Tottenham Hotspur on a season-long loan.
Palhinha has managed to get an adequate amount of game time, but it has been a disaster season for Spurs. The North London side is currently in a relegation battle, which is shocking for a club of big stature.
Spurs have an option to sign Palhinha on a permanent deal for €30 million. At the halfway stage, it did look like Spurs would not sign Palhinha permanently. However, the new head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, is a big fan of the Portuguese midfielder. While talking to the media last week (via The Athletic), De Zerbi admitted that Spurs need players and leaders like Palhinha in the squad next season.
"We have to start with these types of people. More than players, we need reliable people, reliable players, and Palhinha is one of the best as a player, for sure, but as a guy. I want to see players with the same passion, attitude, spirit and personality. We are very lucky to have Palhinha with us."Roberto De Zerbi, Spurs head coach
Palhinha’s future at Spurs will be dependent on which division the club will be playing in next season. They are currently out of the relegation zone, but need a win on Monday to get more daylight between them and 18th-placed West Ham United.
The Portuguese midfielder doesn’t feature in Bayern’s long-term plans, which makes him such a strange signing for the club. The Bavarian club paid a hefty fee in excess of €50 million to sign him from Fulham in 2024. Die Roten decided to part ways with him on a loan deal one year later as he struggled for form and game time during his debut season in the Bundesliga.
No certainty of new midfield arrival at Bayern in the summer
Bayern will hope Spurs sign Palhinha in the summer to raise funds for their transfer targets. It does look like signing a new midfielder is not at the top of the priority list for Die Roten. They have an interest in Hertha’s Kennet Eichhorn, but face significant competition from several big European clubs.
Even though there will be a senior departure in Goretzka, Bayern are planning to give Tom Bischof more game time in the midfield. They have already agreed a deal to bring Noël Aséko Nkili back from Hannover. The German midfielder will get game time in the pre-season to impress and make a case for a place in the senior squad next season.
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