Bayern Munich has successfully finalized a deal to sign Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha, according to multiple reports.
This move follows a close call last summer when Palhinha was in Munich on the final day of the transfer window, only for the deal to collapse due to a failure to agree on the transfer fee.
This time, Bayern and Fulham have agreed on terms. Florian Plettenberg initially confirmed the agreement, and Nizaar Kinsella detailed the deal specifics: Bayern will pay €51 million (£43.2 million) upfront, with an additional €5 million (£4.2 million) in potential add-ons.
Palhinha, currently competing with Portugal at Euro 2024, has long expressed his desire to join Bayern. Last June, he publicly stated his preference, saying:
“As far as my future is concerned, both clubs know where I want to be in a month. I am currently concentrating on my work with the national team and on making history for my country.”
Bayern had considered alternative midfielders, including Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte and Everton’s Amadou Onana, but these contingencies are no longer necessary with Palhinha’s transfer nearing completion.
This signing adds to Bayern’s significant spending spree this summer. They previously paid €12 million (£10.2 million) to secure manager Vincent Kompany from Burnley and activated the €30 million (£25.4 million) release clause of Stuttgart’s centre-back Hiroki Ito.
Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise is also close to joining in a deal worth around £60 million, while Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah and PSG’s Xavi Simons remain targets.
Fulham, preparing for Palhinha’s departure, are braced for a club-record sale. This move highlights Bayern’s strategic investments to strengthen their squad as they aim for continued dominance in the Bundesliga and a deeper run in European competitions.
