Bayern Munich will not be signing Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha this January, according to the latest updates from trusted transfer news guru Fabrizio Romano.
The Portugal international has been hugely impressive during his time in the Premier League with Fulham, and Romano has once again looked into his situation after he came close to leaving Fulham for Bayern in the summer.
Speaking to CaughtOffside for his exclusive Daily Briefing column, Romano explained that Palhinha is now considered too expensive for Bayern, who are instead focusing on other targets for this January.
Romano went on to say that we’ll now have to see if this means another English club try to sign Palhinha instead, which follows on from him previously telling CaughtOffside that Arsenal are admirers of the 28-year-old.
If Bayern are no longer in the running, this could be an opportunity for Arsenal, who would do well to strengthen their midfield as Thomas Partey has proven so injury-prone in recent times.
Discussing Palhinha’s situation, Romano said: “Joao Palhinha will not join Bayern Munich in the January transfer window. We know he was almost a Bayern player on deadline day in the summer before the deal collapsed – Bayern decided to keep following the player because they still like and appreciate Palhinha. However, now the deal will not happen because he is considered too expensive.
“Bayern are clear – they have no intention to pay €75-80m for Palhinha, and that is what Fulham want for the Portuguese midfielder after he signed a new deal in the summer. Nothing is happening in January for Palhinha to Bayern, who have instead signed Eric Dier, and now their focus is on signing a new right-back.
“For Palhinha, let’s see if the situation can change with an English club trying to sign him in January, or if he will move in the summer. At the moment the situation is quiet, and his price makes it look difficult for something to happen in January as the only way is for top clubs to sell players before, but this is also not easy.”
Arsenal fans will surely be keeping a close eye on this in the days and weeks ahead, but of course it could also be that other Premier League clubs will be more likely to join the race for his signature, with the Gunners surely a little restricted in what they can do following a busy summer bringing in big names like Declan Rice and Kai Havertz.
He is overpriced for his age. But, if Arsenal had him playing alongside Rice, they would create an unpassable concrete wall. Palhinha was the only midfielder to outplay Rice on each of their meetings this year and that just shows how really good he is. It’s just a shame about his age and over valuation.
a an FFC supporter, I am tired of ‘little Fulham’ being ‘picked off’ time and time again. He is an outstanding player. This is the price if Arsenal or any other club wish to acquire his services