- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that Bayern Munich have seen their opening bid for Joao Palhinha rejected by Fulham but talks continue between the two clubs.
The 28-year-old has been one of the best defensive-minded midfielders in the Premier League in recent years after moving to Craven Cottage in 2022 from Sporting Lisbon.
Nobody made more tackles than Joao Palhinha during the 2022/23 campaign (152), with the next best being Wolves’ Joao Gomes (128) and Sheffield United’s Vinicius Souza (125).
That’s one of the reasons why the no-nonsense midfielder has been attracting interest from the highest level of the game.
Close to £50 million is needed for Joao Palhinha
HITC confirmed over the weekend that Bayern, who recently appointed Vincent Kompany as their new manager, had rekindled their interest in Palhinha having failed in a deadline-day bid for the Portuguese star in 2023.
HITC has been told by sources that Palhinha, who signed a new deal with Fulham after his move to the German giants collapsed, has a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with the club’s hierarchy that they would not stand in his way if they returned, which they now have.
However, the London club have also made it clear to him they would not let him leave on a bargain deal – hence they have rejected Bayern’s opening offer of around £30m. The two clubs agreed a deal worth £60m previously, and whilst Fulham will accept less, HITC is told they want close to £50m.
Fulham target Morten Hjulmand and Florentino Luis to replace Joao Palhinha
HITC understands that Fulham could look to Portugal to replace Palhinha as two players on their radar are Sporting Lisbon’s highly-rated Dane Morten Hjulmand and Benfica’s Florentino Luis.
Sources told HITC in April that Manchester United and Newcastle United sent scouts to Lisbon to watch Hjumand in action, with the 24-year-old helping Sporting to the league title this season and is now hoping to make his mark at Euro 2024.
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On the other hand, Florentino was a regular for Benfica in the league and Europe this term. His side picked up four points in the Champions League and had to drop down to the Europa League, where Marseille knocked them out.
The Portuguese market has worked well for Fulham in recent years and Marco Silva’s judgement has resulted in several players thriving under his stewardship.