Bayern Munich remains optimistic about securing the signature of Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha in the upcoming January transfer window, despite a recent setback. The Bundesliga champions were on the verge of finalizing the deal on the last day of the summer transfer window. Palhinha even underwent a medical examination, but the transfer collapsed at the last minute because Fulham couldn’t find a suitable replacement in time.
According to reports from The Telegraph, Bayern’s manager Thomas Tuchel is still keen on adding the defensive midfielder to his squad, even though Palhinha has committed to a new contract with Fulham, extending his stay until 2028.
In the broader context, Palhinha’s new contract seems to lack a release clause, which would have allowed other clubs to initiate talks if they met a predetermined price. Initially, Bayern had been prepared to offer around £55 million ($67 million) for the Portuguese international. However, given the contract extension, Bayern might need to increase their offer to secure Palhinha’s services.
The road to signing Palhinha in January won’t be easy for Bayern. Fulham has made it clear that they intend to retain their valuable asset. With the absence of a release clause, negotiations between the two clubs will be crucial in reaching a resolution. Bayern will have to work diligently to convince Fulham and finalize the deal in the upcoming transfer window.