Joao Palhinha’s future at Bayern Munich remains uncertain despite the club’s desire to sell the Portuguese midfielder, according to statements made by Sporting Director Christoph Freund. Freund confirmed the club are keen to remove Palhinha from the wage bill following a loan spell in England, but the player himself has expressed a desire to stay in Munich.
Palhinha joined Bayern in the summer of 2024 for a fee exceeding €50 million, but his time in Bavaria has been hampered by injuries and a lack of consistent playing time. Last season, he was loaned to Tottenham Hotspur, where he scored a crucial goal on the final day of the Premier League season to help the club avoid relegation. However, Tottenham did not exercise their €30 million purchase option.
Freund stated that Palhinha, along with Sacha Boey, are no longer central to the club’s plans, suggesting both players should “take their next steps elsewhere.” Despite this, Palhinha told the Abendzeitung that his “plan is to keep my position here,” directly contradicting Freund’s assessment.
Palhinha’s current market value is estimated at only €15 million, meaning any sale would likely result in a financial loss for Bayern. Benfica Lisbon and Aston Villa have been identified as potential suitors. The midfielder was originally a key target for former Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel, who saw Palhinha as the ideal solution for a holding midfield role. A transfer was initially agreed in 2023, but collapsed on deadline day when Fulham were unable to secure a replacement.
However, Palhinha struggled to impress under current manager Vincent Kompany, making only ten starting appearances in all competitions. Bayern are also looking to move on Bryan Zaragoza, who finds himself in a similar situation. Freund indicated that no further significant signings are expected, stating the squad is “very well positioned” and that the club does not want a bloated roster. Despite this, the club are finding it difficult to offload players they deem surplus to requirements.
