Reports: FC Bayern offload €51m transfer flop | OneFootball

The end of a transfer saga is in sight. According to media reports, FC Bayern have finally found a taker for João Palhinha. The Portuguese midfielder is reportedly set to return home and join Benfica from Lisbon.

This is being reported by both 'Sky Sport News', the Portuguese daily newspaper 'Record', and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano late on Thursday afternoon.

The 31-year-old defensive midfielder is set to sign a four-year contract with the Portuguese club, earning a net salary of €2.5 million per season as well as a signing bonus of around €1 million – a significant cut compared to his estimated gross salary of €8.5 million in Munich. As soon as the player himself gives the final green light, the deal can be announced.

The 37-cap international was most recently on loan at Tottenham Hotspur and would have liked to continue his career there or, alternatively, at Aston Villa. Now Benfica are making their move – not least because of Marco Silva. The coach, who took over from José Mourinho at the capital club in July, knows Palhinha from their successful time together at Fulham and has played a key role in pushing for the signing of his former player.

For FC Bayern, meanwhile, the deal still represents a financial loss. The transfer fee is said to be €14 million, supplemented by up to €5 million in bonuses (of which €3 million are considered realistically achievable). After Bayern paid €51 million two years ago and had recently been hoping for €20 to €25 million, the transfer at least brings in some return following this summer’s spending of €107 million so far.

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