Deal back on? Joao Palhinha discusses possibility of Bayern Munich transfer despite signing new contract at Fulham

Posted Tuesday, November 14, 2023 by Goal.com

The summer transfer window saw a late, late move for Fulham's Joao Palhinha to Bayern collapse, and the midfielder has now spoken on his future.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Portuguese had already travelled to Munich and started taking pictures with the Bayern jersey before the deal was called off by Fulham due to their inability to sign a replacement. The German champions have been asked multiple times afterwards if they would still be interested in signing the 28-year-old, and they have always hinted that he remains a target.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

After his attempt to join Bayern Munich failed, Palhinha ended up signing a new deal with Fulham, where he will remain until 2028 with a one-year option. If Bayern do end up trying to sign the Portuguese again, they will definitely have to shell out some extra cash for the midfielder, thanks to the contract extension.

WHAT PALHINHA SAID

When asked about a potential future move to Bayern ahead of Portugal's Euro qualifiers against Liechtenstein, Palhinha told O Jogo: "I don’t know what will happen in the future. Obviously, it’s really affected me and my family, but that’s all in the past, I don’t want to think about it too much. It’s a great source of pride, you know what happened. In my life everything that has happened has been for a reason, I like to think of it like that,” said Palhinha, insisting there’s still a lot of time for him to shine."

He added: "The future will tell me whether what happened was really what had to happen or not, but only the future will show me that. I want to keep going the way I’ve been going, nobody has given me anything throughout my career, and everything I’ve achieved is down to my worth, my work. I hope it stays that way. I’m 28, but I know I can go higher and I’m looking to the future with that ambition."

WHAT NEXT FOR PALHINHA?

While it seems unlikely that a move in the winter is possible for Palhinha, it could be very possible that Bayern may approach Fulham once again in the summer of 2024, with a renewed hope of signing the midfielder.