Transfer saga over! Bayern finds a buyer for Palhinha | OneFootball

Joao Palhinha has apparently found a new club. According to the latest reports, Benfica Lisbon and FC Bayern have agreed on a transfer. The transfer fee is said to be 15 million euros and includes additional bonuses totaling five million euros upon achieving certain goals. 

FC Bayern appears to have found a buyer for Joao Palhinha. As reported by the Portuguese broadcaster SIC Notícias, an agreement has reportedly been reached with Benfica Lisbon. Benfica is said to be paying 15 million euros for Palhinha up front. An additional 5 million euros could be added through performance-based bonus payments.

For FC Bayern, the transfer would mark the final departure of a player who was once signed with high expectations. In the summer of 2024, the Munich club paid a transfer fee of around 50 million euros plus potential bonus payments to Fulham FC.

Palhinha was expected to bolster defensive stability in midfield for the record champions and play a key role as a classic ball-winner. Under Vincent Kompany, however, the Portuguese player was never able to establish himself as a regular starter.

Palhinha was unable to break through

Above all, the fierce competition in central midfield made life difficult for the 31-year-old. Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic were often preferred by Kompany. Palhinha, who was actually considered a top target of Kompany’s predecessor, Thomas Tuchel, struggled under the Belgian coach.

After a mixed first season at Säbener Straße, the Portuguese player was loaned to Tottenham Hotspur. Although he showed improved performances there, he was still unable to convince the Bayern bosses and Kompany.

Now, Bayern will have to absorb a significant financial loss if they sell him. Should Palhinha fail to meet the agreed-upon bonus targets, the record champions would receive only 15 million euros. Munich’s original asking price was around 25 million euros.

Benfica is banking on experience

Benfica is hoping the Portuguese player will bring more stability and experience to the midfield. In addition to his club appearances, Palhinha has also made numerous appearances for the Portuguese national team.

Photo: IMAGO

For the player himself, the move offers the opportunity to revitalize his career in familiar surroundings. After his difficult time at FC Bayern, Palhinha’s main priority is likely to be playing regularly at the highest level again.