Update (5:00 PM EST): Bayern ready to spend big?
Bayern Munich are reportedly ready to significantly raise their initial bid for Fulham defensive midfielder João Palhinha, from €55 million to €65 million. Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg has the update:
⏳ At the moment Fulham is still in talks with possible replacements for #Palhinha. Several players were offered to the club in the last hours.
Fulham, willing to find a replacement. Bayern is willing to pay around €65m now.
Palhinha, ready to travel to Munich
The Premier League club will now scramble to find an eleventh hour replacement, complicated by Sofyan Amrabat’s impending move to Manchester United from Fiorentina.
Meanwhile Bayern look ever closer to landing their No. 6.
In the last few hours the pressure of squad planning and the deadline day has certainly been felt at Bayern Munich. In a surprising turn of events, the latest frenzy is around João Palhinha. Negotiations have been heating up over the past few hours between Bayern Munich and Fulham FC.
Personal terms have been agreed upon, but Fulham FC did not appear to be willing to budge on its desired transfer fee. As Sport1’s Kerry Hau and Patrick Berger reported, it seems that Fulham have now rejected Bayern’s initial €55 million (£47 million) offer for Palhinha (captured via @iMiaSanMia)
The two clubs seemed to be very far apart in valuation, with the English club demanding a fee over €80 million, while Bayern remain hopeful to get a deal done for a much awaited holding midfielder for around €60 million and bonuses.
However, there is one report indicating a deal could be in place where the two clubs have met in the middle — at least according to Abendzeitung’s Patrick Strasser:
João #Palhinha wird @FCBayern-Profi.
Letzte Details zum Vertrag werden noch mit @FulhamFC verhandelt, die fixe Ablöse sowie die Höhe der Boni.
Nach #Kane und Hernandez könnte der Portugiese der drittteuerste Einkauf aller Zeiten werden.
Bis zu 70 Mio. € werden wohl fällig— Patrick Strasser (@AZ_Strasser) August 31, 2023
João #Palhinha will become a @FCBayern professional.
The final details of the contract are still being negotiated with @FulhamFC, the fixed fee and the amount of the bonuses.
After #Kane and Hernandez, the Portuguese could become the third most expensive purchase of all time.
Up to €70 million will probably be due.
Fulham’s ridiculously high asking price stems from the fact it is very late in the transfer window to look for a replacement, and Bayern’s offer only seemed to test the waters. Yet Bayern still remain keen to sign Tuchel’s much wanted defensive midfielder.
As of now, the negotiations seem to continue between the two clubs. Palhinha on the other hand has not only communicated his eagerness to join Bayern and agreed personal terms with the German club, but also insinuated his desire through Instagram — liking Sky Sport’s post that stated Palhinha wants the move to Bayern.
The transfer window is now in its closing stages, so both the clubs and the player will have to move fast if they want to get this deal done in time.
Meanwhile, fans are sure to be able to watch an interesting (to say the least) transfer saga unfold — one that could be crucial to the upcoming season.
Looking for more analysis? Then check out the newest episode of our newest Weekend Warm-up podcast! Chuck and INNN team up to react to the Champions League draw, the rumors about João Palhinha, the conclusion to the Ryan Gravenberch saga, Benjamin Pavard’s move to Inter Milan, and so much more! Listen below or on Spotify.
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