Joao Palhinha’s departure from FC Bayern is drawing ever closer. After a move to Benfica had already begun to take shape in recent days, Max Eberl is now also hinting at a deal being finalized soon. However, the transfer isn’t quite finalized yet.
Joao Palhinha is on the verge of a transfer to Benfica Lisbon. The top Portuguese club remains the favorite to sign the midfielder. Bayern and Benfica are said to have already reached a basic agreement. A transfer fee of around 14 million euros is on the table, to which bonus payments of up to five million euros could be added.
At the press conference ahead of the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup against Borussia Dortmund, Max Eberl was asked specifically about the Portuguese player’s situation. Bayern’s sporting director made it clear that intensive work is underway behind the scenes.
“There’s a lot of movement right now, but there are still things to be clarified that always come into play with a transfer,” Eberl explained.
Eberl thus remained cautious despite the far-advanced talks. While the move to Lisbon appears to be on track, the deal is not yet finalized.
Palhinha Set to Return to His Home Country
For Palhinha, Benfica would mark a return home. The 30-year-old played in the youth system at city rival Sporting Lisbon. He eventually made the leap to the pros there before moving to England to play for Fulham FC.
At Bayern Munich, however, the defensive midfielder was never able to establish himself as a regular starter. In the summer of 2024, Palhinha transferred from Fulham to Munich for around 50 million euros.
Under Vincent Kompany, however, the Portuguese player now appears to have no future with the club. Bayern Munich is therefore working to finalize the termination of the costly transfer after just two years.
Aston Villa had previously been in the running
At one point, however, it looked like another club might be the buyer. Aston Villa had been actively pursuing Palhinha and was apparently already in advanced talks with the Munich club. However, an agreement could not be reached.
Subsequently, Benfica came into the picture. Talks progressed quickly and led to a basic agreement on the terms of the transfer.
Now only the final details need to be worked out. Eberl’s statements show that the Palhinha saga is in full swing. Barring any further complications, the midfielder could leave FC Bayern before the Super Cup.