Palhinha wanted a Sporting move, but one top chief blocked it; find out who | OneFootball

He was at the center of one of the main sagas of the summer transfer market, ultimately swapping Bayern for Benfica after also being approached by Sporting. The midfielder was seen by the Lions as a possible solution for the middle of the park following Morten Hjulmand’s departure, but a conversation with Bernardo Palmeiro ended up changing the course of the negotiations and opening the door for the signing of Sergi Altimira.

According to the newspaper 'Record', Palhinha maintained a close relationship with Sporting’s general director of football, who had even helped him legally when he moved to Bayern. A return to Alvalade was therefore a possibility that appealed to the 31-year-old midfielder.

However, during the conversation between the two, the Portugal international explained that Bayern wanted €25 million for his transfer. Even accepting a significant pay cut, Palhinha’s salary would still remain above the ceiling set by Sporting’s SAD. Given these conditions, Bernardo Palmeiro decided not to move forward and focused his efforts on Altimira, who quickly went from alternative to priority.

With Sporting out of the race, Benfica gained room to make their move. Marco Silva reportedly told Rui Costa that he saw Palhinha as a priority signing for the midfield and made a point of speaking directly to the player in several conversations. Meanwhile, Tottenham dropped out of the race and the Eagles managed to convince Bayern, sealing the transfer for €14 million, with a further €5 million possible in add-ons.

Frederico Varandas has already publicly addressed the decision and made Sporting’s position on the deal clear, stating that “it is not Sporting’s project to invest tens of millions in a 31-year-old player.”

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