Joao Palhinha opens the door to the Fulham transfer exodus – “We’ll see what happens”
Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha is being connected with Bayern Munich again, and the Portugal international has refused to rule out a move during the forthcoming transfer window.
Joao Palhinha has refused to rule out a summer transfer, despite interest from long-time admirers Bayern Munich.
The highly-rated Fulham midfielder, 28, was sought by the German giants last year and even flew to Munich before a deal fell through on transfer deadline day.
Palhinha has since signed a new contract with Fulham, keeping him at Craven Cottage until the summer of 2028. However, Bayern remain in the background, and while the Portugal international has stated that he is likely to stay, he has not completely ruled out a move.
“At the moment, today, the likelihood is I stay at Fulham, but we’ll see what happens,” he stated to Flashscore. “I have immense respect for the Fulham organisation, people know what a professional I am and that’s the example I want to pass on to the many kids who follow me and look up to me.”
Fulham’s failure to acquire a replacement for Palhinha resulted in the breakdown of his dream transfer. The former Sporting CP ace has even undergone a physical with the Bundesliga club.
When asked explicitly about Bayern Munich’s interest and the possibility of reviving that trade, Palhinha said he had no idea whether it could happen.
He went on: “I’m not sure if it’s a closed door or not; everything in football is really unclear. I can’t say whether the door is closed or open. I can’t put myself in that situation either.
“Today I want to focus more on the European Championships because that’s the goal, to leave a good impression at the Euros, and then everything else will follow.”Many people are already familiar with me. Because I’m in the Premier League, I’m in a massive shop window, possibly the largest of them. The Euros are also a showcase that everyone watches all around the world.”
Palhinha has made 79 appearances for Fulham since joining the Premier League in the summer of 2022 and is largely regarded as one of the division’s best defensive midfielders.
After losing the German crown to Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich will try to rebuild under new coach Vincent Kompany. The former Manchester City captain was named Bayern’s new manager earlier this week after the Bundesliga club reached a compensation agreement with Burnley for the Belgian’s services.
