Joao Palhinha’s move to Fulham in 2022 was a coup for the Cottagers at the time, and it has since sparked interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs – but while there were rumours galore last season linking him with a move away from the club, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed that the Cottagers are ‘confident’ in keeping the Portugal international beyond the summer.
Palhinha joined Fulham from Sporting Lisbon, which had won the Primeira Liga for the first time in nearly two decades, and many were surprised by his signing, given that other clubs had been interested for a long time. Palhinha has excelled in the Premier League, winning Fulham’s Player of the Season title last season and has been instrumental in guiding the club to two Premier League mid-table finishes in his two years in the capital. And that could be extended since the midfielder appears unlikely to move on over the summer.
João Palhinha: Fulham Transfer Exit
Latest According to GIVEMESPORT sources, Palhinha is unlikely to leave Craven Cottage this summer, and it would require a bid of more over £50 million.
The Cottagers are optimistic that their star midfielder will remain on their books at the conclusion of the summer transfer season, however any interested party would have to make a substantial bid to sign the Portugal international if he did show a desire to leave Marco Silva’s side. Beyond that, there are signals around the club that Palhinha may be granted a new contract to replace his existing £80,000-per-week term, though this has yet to happen.
Intermediaries have suggested that there could be a deal for him to go once the window opens, with a move to Bayern Munich not being ruled out if they choose a new manager and the new manager wants to add Palhinha to his team. Palhinha signed a new deal until 2028 in the summer, with the option to extend for another year in the capital. There is, however, little Premier League interest in acquiring Palhinha, considering that he will turn 29 in the summer and Fulham’s exorbitant fee for anyone to prise him off the banks of the Thames.
Joao Palhinha’s Potential Influence in Bayern
Palhinha could’ve left Fulham last summer.
The former Sporting midfielder was famously linked with a move to Bayern Munich last summer, and even flew over to Munich for a physical before being told the deal was off once he arrived in Germany. Leon Goretzka’s absence from the Germany national team has revealed that a new defensive midfielder may be required in Bavaria, and with the club failing to win a single trophy in a season for the first time since 2012, incomings may be required to avoid another catastrophic failure.
Palhinha was so close to joining Bayern last summer, and with their problems on the pitch this season, which included finishing second to Bayer Leverkusen all season, his addition – however unlikely – might catapult them back to the standards that fans have come to expect at the Allianz Arena.
