Bayern ‘Pushing’ To Sign ‘Top Target’ from Fulham After Reaching ‘Verbal Agreement

Bayern Munich are set to renew their pursuit of Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha, with discussions between the two clubs already underway, according to recent reports.

Palhinha, who joined Fulham from Sporting CP for approximately £18 million in 2022, has been a standout performer under Marco Silva. He has led the Premier League in tackles for two consecutive seasons, attracting attention from top clubs, including Arsenal and Liverpool, alongside Bayern Munich.

The German champions were close to signing the Portuguese international last summer, but the deal fell through after Fulham couldn’t secure a replacement in time.

Despite the failed transfer, Palhinha remained professional and continued to excel in Fulham’s midfield during the 2023/24 season. This has kept him on Bayern’s radar, and according to German football expert Florian Plettenberg, the club is now very eager to finalize the signing.

Plettenberg reports that Palhinha is Bayern’s ‘top transfer target for defensive midfield’ and that a ‘verbal agreement in principle’ is already in place. The groundwork for this agreement was laid last summer when all essential contract details were negotiated. Palhinha remains ‘keen’ on the move to the Bundesliga giants.

Bayern is reportedly ready to spend between €40-45 million (£34-38 million) to secure Palhinha’s services. However, the club may need to offload some players to fund the transfer.

Plettenberg mentions that Bayern is open to offers for six players, including Joshua Kimmich, Matthijs de Ligt, Leon Goretzka, Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, and Noussair Mazraoui.

Kimmich, in particular, has been linked with Premier League clubs Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool. His versatility as a right-back and defensive midfielder makes him an attractive option for these clubs. Despite these potential sales, Bayern has not yet received any concrete offers for their listed players.