A long-mooted transfer has now been completed with the news that Bayern Munich have signed Portuguese defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha. The 28-year-old was a star man for Fulham during his time at Craven Cottage and will now look to play a similarly key role for Bayern as they aim to wrestle back control of the Bundesliga from defending champions Bayer Leverkusen.
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Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of Portuguese defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha from Fulham on a four-year contract for a reported fee of £43.4 million plus £4m in add-ons.
The Bundesliga giants pushed hard to sign Palhinha both last summer and during the January transfer window, but they were rebuffed by Fulham on both occasions.
Fulham vice-chairman Tony Khan said in February that they would be willing to sell the Portugal international should the right offer come in the summer.
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Palhinha was part of Portugal’s Euro 2024 squad in Germany, where they were beaten by France in the quarter-finals.
This time the London side have not stood in Palhinha’s way, and he becomes the latest signing for new Bayern boss Vincent Kompany.
Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl told the club website: “Joao Palhinha was already highly regarded at FC Bayern last summer – and rightly so! It was important that we never lost contact.
“Joao really wanted to come to FC Bayern, and we need players like him. He is an important building block for our future.
“He has once again demonstrated his strengths on a big stage at the European Championships and brings a lot of experience with him, having previously played in a European Championship and a World Cup and around 300 competitive matches in the Portuguese and English leagues. He will give us even more stability in the centre.”
The Bavarians have already seen Michael Olise join from Crystal Palace, Bryan Zaragoza arrive from Granada in January, whilst Hiroki Ito came in from Stuttgart, and Eric Dier made his loan permanent following the expiration of his contract at Tottenham Hotspur.
Talented young forward Nestory Irankunda will also finally arrive at the club, with his transfer from Adelaide United having been agreed last November.
Palhinha won rave reviews for his performances at the heart of the Fulham midfield last term, and was widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.
Bayern endured a difficult season last time out, losing their Bundesliga title to Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen and even finishing below Stuttgart, as they had to settle for third place.
That downturn in form led to the exit of manager Thomas Tuchel, with Bayern rolling the dice and electing to bring in Kompany for just his third senior managerial role after previous spells at Anderlecht and Burnley.