Boss Eyes Reunion To Scupper Aston Villa And Newcastle United’s Deal Hopes | OneFootball

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Former Fulham boss Marco Silva wants to take Newcastle United and Aston Villa target Joao Palhinha to Benfica, reuniting with the ex-Cottagers star.

The Portuguese midfielder played a key part last season at Tottenham Hotspur, who managed to avoid relegation on the final day of the campaign.

Spurs, though, chose not to make his move permanent and opted for the likes of Maetus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali this summer.

Palhinha is not in Vincent Kompany’s plans at Bayern Munich, who are trying to offload him with a number of European clubs keen on him.

Sporting Lisbon were keen on re-signing him, but that possibility eventually faded back in June.

With three weeks remaining in the summer transfer window, he is generating Premier League interest again as Newcastle and Aston Villa are keen.

And last week it was suggested that the Villa Park club have a ‘strong possibility’ of securing the 31-year-old.

Newcastle have missed two of their star midfielders in the shape of Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, and they want to ensure they have a capable engine room ahead of the new campaign.

Pierre-Emile Hjobjerg was targeted, but he has snubbed a move to Newcastle.

There is also interest in Palhinha from Benfica, according to German journalist Kerry Hau, though, where former Fulham boss Marco Silva is in charge.

Benfica are ‘still in the mix’ for Palhinha, who played under Silva at Fulham.

Silva now wants a reunion at Benfica and heading home to Portugal could well appeal.

The boss knows all about Palhinha’s qualities and feel he would fit the bill at the Estadio da Luz.

Aston Villa however are the only one of the trio who can offer Champions League football.

Palhinha, though, is yet to make his decision regarding his next club, with still two years left on his Bayern Munich deal.

The 37-time Portugal-capped defensive midfielder has 101 Premier League appearances under his belt during his time at Fulham and Spurs.

It remains to be seen where Palhinha ends up, but he is not short of options.