FC Bayern plans to offload a few more players this summer, including João Palhinha. The saga surrounding the Portuguese midfielder is now entering the next round, and the outcome remains uncertain.
Two Italian clubs have been interested in the defensive midfielder for quite some time, but have yet to make any concrete moves. Serie A still seems to be a rather unrealistic backup option for Palhinha.
Aston Villa had recently made a strong push to sign him but was unable to reach an agreement with FC Bayern. “We need a midfielder, as Amadou Onana will be out for the entire season, and João Palhinha is a very good player who would fit well into our plans,” Villa sporting director Damian Vidagany explained just recently.
Palhinha: Benfica Isn’t Giving Up
Alongside Benfica, Aston Villa is currently the most interested suitor for the Portuguese player. The sticking point at the moment remains that Bayern is demanding a transfer fee in the range of 20–25 million euros.
According to Ekrem Konur, a Turkish transfer expert, Benfica is reportedly not giving up and is trying to raise the necessary funds to pull off a transfer. At the moment, it looks like a two-horse race between Benfica and Aston Villa.
The problem for FC Bayern: Both clubs are currently much more interested in a loan with an option to buy than in a direct purchase of the player. FC Bayern actually wants to avoid that and instead sell the Portuguese player outright.
At the moment, however, a quick solution isn’t on the horizon with either Aston Villa or Benfica. The Portuguese club needs to be careful not to take on too much financial risk, even with a loan deal that includes an option to buy—and this is despite the fact that Palhinha would agree to take a pay cut.
So, despite two concrete suitors, the situation remains complicated.