Bayern Munich have agreed to sign midfielder Joao Palhinha from Fulham for up to £47.5 million, setting a club-record sale for the London-based team.
The Bavarian giants had previously made two bids for Palhinha, including one worth £29.7 million, but Fulham held firm on their valuation. Now, Bayern have secured the Portuguese international for an initial £43.2 million, with a further £4.3 million in potential add-ons.
This transfer fee surpasses Fulham’s previous record sale set last summer when striker Aleksandar Mitrovic joined Saudi club Al-Hilal for £45 million.
Palhinha’s move to Bayern Munich has been a long-running saga. The player was given permission to undergo a medical at the German club on last summer’s transfer deadline day, but the deal fell through as Fulham could not secure a replacement in time.
Despite the setback, Bayern’s interest in Palhinha persisted, and they have now successfully negotiated his transfer. The 28-year-old has been a key figure for Fulham over the past two seasons in the Premier League, consistently ranking among the league’s top tacklers.
🚨🔴 Bayern have made a breakthrough in talks to sign João Palhinha, agreement on the verge of being completed with Fulham.
Clubs to agree on final details soon in order to sign docs in the next days, as per @SkySportDE.
🇵🇹 Palhinha clearly asked Fulham to let him join Bayern. pic.twitter.com/4hPaYjFMzL
Advertisement— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 3, 2024
Palhinha’s departure will be a significant loss for Fulham, who signed him from Sporting CP in 2022 for just £17 million. However, the substantial fee received from Bayern will provide the club with resources to reinvest in their squad.
For Bayern, acquiring Palhinha addresses the defensive midfield issues that plagued them last season when they failed to win a single trophy despite the arrival of England captain Harry Kane.
BREAKING: Bayern Munich have agreed a deal to sign Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha for £47.4m 🚨
It will be a club-record sale for Fulham if the deal goes through ⚪ pic.twitter.com/MphysisK9E
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 3, 2024
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Palhinha will complete his medical at Bayern Munich after representing Portugal at the ongoing Euro 2024 tournament, where he is preparing for a heavyweight quarter-final clash against France in Hamburg.
