Joao Palhinha's transfer to FC Bayern failed literally at the last second last summer. The Portuguese still hasn't digested the failed move.
Munich – He should finally fulfill Thomas Tuchel’s long-awaited wish for a “Holding Six”: Joao Palhinha. The Bayern bosses had targeted the Portuguese international last summer as the ideal choice for central midfield. The record champions wanted to pay a total of 60 million euros for the 28-year-old's services.
The negotiations were already well advanced and the player was already in Munich - until the transfer drama began. Because Fulham FC could no longer find a suitable replacement, the transfer fell through shortly before the transfer deadline. Bayern were left without a “Holding Six” and Palhinha’s dream of moving to an absolute top club was dashed.
“Punch in the stomach”: Plahinha talks about the failed Bayern move
Even more than half a year later, Palhinha has apparently not yet digested the failed transfer and continues to struggle with his fate. “It's a story from the past, but of course it will shape me for the rest of my career. “This episode was like a punch in the stomach at the time,” he describes his feelings to the Portuguese newspaper
O Jogo.
Shortly after the failed move, there were reports that Palhinha was shocked by the failed move. A few months later, the 28-year-old gave his first insight into the difficult phase after his failed transfer. “Of course it really affected me and my family,” Palhinha honestly admitted his frustration at the time.
Palhinha announces contract extension at Fulham FC
At this point, FC Bayern and Palhinha himself were probably hoping that the transfer could still be completed in the following winter transfer window. “They didn’t kill the dream, they just postponed it,” wrote Palhinha’s brother Goncalo, among others, on Instagram. The extension of Fulham's contract until 2028 was all the more surprising.
“That was decided since the preseason. At this point I had received an excellent offer from West Ham and had a conversation with the Fulham owner, who was in favor of a contract extension. I took that as a vote of confidence,” Palhinha now explained this decision.
Palhinha continues to dream of a change - FC Bayern is probably no longer interested
At FC Bayern, the extension apparently had a deterrent effect. Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund confirmed in November that the record champions still had the Portuguese on their radar, but there were no more concrete negotiations about a transfer in the winter.
However, Palhinha has not yet completely ticked off a transfer to a top club. “Life goes on and all I can do is work hard so that one day I get a similar opportunity,” said the 25-time international. However, it is questionable whether his path will lead him to FC Bayern - the Munich team has been discussing a different name as a possible “Holding Six” for months.
(LuHa)