Bayern Munich are reportedly on the verge of making their signing of the summer after reaching a verbal agreement with Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha.
Palhinha joined Fulham from Sporting for around £18million in 2022 and has grown to become one of tbe best players in his position.
The Portuguese who was initially linked to Manchester United and Arsenal is now set for a new adventure in the Bundesliga. According to German football expert Florian Plettenberg, Palhinha is Bayern’s ‘top transfer target for defensive midfield’ and the club already has a ‘verbal agreement in principle’ with the player.
Reports claim all the essential contract details were negotiated last summer’ and Palhinha remains ‘keen’ on joining the Bundesliga giant.
Joao Palhinha of Fulham looks on during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Newcastle United at Craven Cottage (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Talks are underway between the two clubs, with Bayern ‘ready to spend between €40-45million’ (£34-38million).
Plettenberg wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter:
‘Joao Palhinha is currently FC Bayern’s top transfer target for the defensive midfield! There is already a verbal agreement in principle between Bayern and the 28 y/o. Also, because all the essential contract details were already negotiated last summer! Palhinha, keen to join Bayern! Talks with Fulham are already underway. Bayern, ready to spend between €40-45m transfer fee. Contract valid until 2028.’
The arrival of Paulinha will force Bayern to sell one of their star players. On the list of players likely to leave the club are Manchester United-linked Matthijs de Ligt, Leon Goretzka, Kingsley Coman, former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry, and full-back Noussair Mazraoui..
Joshua Kimmich, who can play as a right-back and defensive midfielder has also been linked with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
