Bayern Munich reportedly pushed Joao Palhinha towards Newcastle United
The last few weeks have seen Bayern Munich actively looking for transfer solutions for players who are not part of Vincent Kompany’s plans for next season. They have achieved success in one such scenario, as Joao Palhinha is closing in on a permanent transfer away from Munich.
The 30-year-old midfielder is close to completing a move to Benfica. Bayern are set to receive a fixed transfer fee of €14 million, with a further €5 million in bonuses. Palhinha has already agreed personal terms with the Portuguese club. He will be reuniting with head coach Marco Silva as the duo previously worked together at Fulham.
Bayern’s director of sport Max Eberl told media on Friday that final details of the transfer are yet to be finalised. It looks a matter of when rather than if Palhinha joins Benfica. He is not expected to be part of the squad for Saturday’s Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup against Borussia Dortmund. Bayern had omitted him from the squad in the final friendly game against Heidenheim on Tuesday due to transfer activity.
The record Bundesliga champions are getting what they wanted: a permanent departure for Palhinha. He had spent last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, but the North London side decided against taking up the option to sign him on a permanent deal.
The latest murmurings from Portugal reveal that Benfica was not Bayern’s preferred destination for Palhinha. While talking to Sport TV in Portugal (via iMiaSanMia), Diogo Viana, close friend and former teammate of Palhinha, revealed that Bayern tried to push Palhinha towards Newcastle United.
The Tyneside club had Palhinha on their list of targets to replace Bruno Guimaraes. They had missed out on the signing of former Bayern midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Marseille. Newcastle turned their attention to Palhinha, but the 30-year-old midfielder was eager to seal a return to Portugal. Aston Villa had also tried to sign Palhinha on loan, but Die Roten were not keen on any loan deal.
Palhinha was ready to stay at Bayern
Viana also revealed that Palhinha was open to staying at Bayern next season if a move to Benfica didn’t materialize. The former Fulham midfielder wanted a move to Benfica or else stay in Munich and fight for game time under Vincent Kompany.
Bayern eventually caved in and agreed a deal with Benfica. The Bavarian club initially wanted a fee of €30 million for the Portuguese midfielder, but the circumstances ensured they had to part ways with him for a cut-price deal.
Palhinha will go down as one of the unsuccessful and expensive deals in Bayern’s history, as he struggled to make an impact since arriving from Fulham for €51 million in 2024.
