Bayern Munich have reached an agreement to bring Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha to the Allianz Arena in a deal worth up to €56m.
The Bundesliga club will pay an initial €51m with an additional €5m in add-ons for the Portugal international.
This move comes after a failed attempt to sign him last year on the final day of the transfer window.
Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed this transition on his X page.
According to Romano, Joao Palhinha has already completed his medical as a new Bayern player.
The veteran midfielder penned a four-year contract until June 2028 that will be signed today, July 10, in Munich.
Meanwhile, this record-breaking sale will provide Fulham with much-needed funds to strengthen their midfield.
Known for his defensive prowess, he has been instrumental in Fulham’s success in the Premier League since their promotion in 2022.
Joao Palhinha to solidify Bayern Munich’s defence
With Palhinha’s arrival, Bayern Munich will aim to fortify their defensive options and further solidify their position as contenders in the Bundesliga.
Bayern Munich secured a third-place finish in the Bundesliga last season, trailing champions Bayer Leverkusen by 18 points under former boss Thomas Tuchel.
The team was knocked out by La Liga Champions Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals and did not clinch a victory in the German Cup.
Despite facing challenges last season, Bayern Munich are focused on a fresh start under new manager Vincent Kompany.
The departure of Thomas Tuchel will surely open up new opportunities for the players to showcase their talents and bring home silverware this season under the leadership of Kompany.
With his experience and leadership, the team are looking to build on their successes in the Champions League and aim for the top spot in the Bundesliga.
Who is Joao Palhinha?
Palhinha is a professional footballer who last played as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club Fulham and also represents the Portugal national team.
His football career
Palhinha first burst onto the scene in 2017 with Sporting CP, making his debut with the first team before going on loan to Moreirense, Belenenses, and Braga.
Upon his return to Sporting CP in 2020, he quickly became a key player in the squad, helping the team win the 2020–21 Primeira Liga title and back-to-back Taças da Liga in 2021 and 2022.
The talented midfielder, who had an impressive career at Sporting CP in Portugal, signed with Fulham in July 2022 for a whopping £20 million.
The 29-year-old made his full debut for the national team in 2021 and has since been a part of the squads at the 2022 World Cup and two European Championships.
Palhinha has been a key player for Fulham under Marco Silva since he arrived from Sporting two years ago.
What’s next for Joao Palhinha?
The Portuguese will be unveiled as the latest signing of Bayern’s new boss Vincent Kompany as soon as all necessary documents have been completed.
With his combination of skill, experience, and potential, Palhinha is sure to make a big impact at Bayern and impress Kompany to book a spot on the team’s first XI.
