Joao Palhinha’s time at FC Bayern will soon come to an end. While there were still some lingering doubts about his move to Benfica, those now appear to have been cleared up.
The Portuguese player was already in Lisbon—officially to visit his family. However, some media outlets reported that he would also undergo a medical exam at Benfica during this visit.
But because the two clubs hadn’t yet reached a final agreement, the player was in limbo. There was even talk of a return to Munich. The tensions between the clubs quickly subsided, however, and it seemed as though the green light for the deal to go through would be given at any moment.
Palhinha passed the medical exam
Meanwhile, reports from Portugal indicate that everything is nearing completion. According to a Record report, Palhinha has passed his physical at Benfica. He had previously received permission from FC Bayern to undergo the physical, which is the clearest sign that the deal is about to be finalized.
The Palhinha transfer involves a transfer fee of 14–15 million euros plus bonus payments. Bayern initially wanted a higher sum, but that seemed unrealistic given Benfica’s financial capabilities.
According to the report, the paperwork now needs to be finalized before the transfer is officially completed. An announcement confirming the deal could very well come soon. Palhinha will remain in Lisbon and will not travel back to Munich.
This puts an end to a recent misunderstanding. When Palhinha moved from Fulham FC to Munich, there were high hopes that he could make a significant impact in midfield as a defensive midfielder. He made only 17 appearances in the Bundesliga, and even those were not particularly notable.
