There’s new movement in the transfer saga surrounding João Palhinha. Benfica Lisbon is far from giving up on the FC Bayern midfielder and is apparently willing to meet Munich’s demands. Instead of a loan, a permanent transfer is now on the table.
Palhinha no longer has a future at FC Bayern. Club officials therefore want to sell the 31-year-old permanently this summer. Another loan is not an option for the Munich club.
That was precisely what recently derailed a potential move to Aston Villa. Benfica is also said to have initially tried to sign Palhinha on loan—and likewise received a rejection from Munich.
Now the Portuguese club is apparently changing its strategy.
Benfica is offering a permanent transfer for Palhinha
According to the Portuguese website O Jogo, Benfica is now willing to negotiate a permanent transfer. However, to manage the financial burden, the transfer fee is reportedly to be spread over two seasons.
According to the report, FC Bayern is demanding at least 25 million euros for the Portuguese national team player.
A key factor in the pursuit of Palhinha is Benfica coach Marco Silva. The coach is eager to work with the Bayern player again. The two already know each other from their time together at Fulham FC.
A return to Portugal could certainly be appealing for Palhinha. The defensive midfielder came up through Sporting’s youth system and played there for several years before moving to the Premier League in 2022.
Bayern is waiting for offers
However, a quick agreement with Benfica does not appear to be on the horizon. Newcastle United, a financially strong Premier League club, is also in the running.
According to O Jogo, the Magpies are currently considered Benfica’s biggest competitor. Newcastle is actively pursuing a deal for the 31-year-old and could have significantly greater financial resources.
It is precisely this competitive situation that plays into Bayern’s hands. After the search for a buyer had long proved difficult, Max Eberl and his team can now hope for a bit of a bidding war.
Munich’s strategy is therefore clear: Bayern is waiting for the highest offer for Palhinha. If possible, the asking price of at least 25 million euros should not be undercut. The fact that Benfica is now willing to make a permanent transfer after rejecting the loan deal at least increases the chances that the high-priced player on the transfer list will find a new club before Deadline Day.