<p>It wouldn’t be unfair to say Bayern’s summer transfer window was utterly disorganized, and this could actually benefit Barcelona.</p>



<p>German manager Thomas Tuchel wanted a defensive midfielder, but they were unable to get one.</p>



<p>The Bavarians acted in a last-ditch effort to acquire Fulham midfielder <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/07/04/fulham-sign-palhinha-from-sporting-lisbon/">Joao Palhinha</a>. With the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/watch-premier-league-on-us-tv-internet/">Premier League</a> team, they had decided on a price.</p>



<p>But, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/fulham-tv-schedule">Fulham</a> were unable to find a suitable alternative for the Portuguese ace. Thus, the deal fell through after he passed the medical checks in Munich. Despite posing for every shot in Bayern kit, the disheartened 28-year-old returned to London.</p>



<p>Although Palhinha eventually signed a new contract, rumors of a move to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/bayern-munich-tv-schedule/">Bayern </a>remained constant. It was thought that during the winter transfer window, the German champions would make him a fresh offer. But Munich have now reportedly rethought their strategy and shifted focus to other areas that need reinforcement.</p>



<p>Just recently, Tuchel spoke clean about their lack of interest in acquiring a midfielder during the winter transfer window. As a result, his side have reportedly opted not to re-bid for Palhinha, via German news outlet <a href="https://twitter.com/Plettigoal/status/1745190188282732602" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sky Sports</a>. So, staying put at Fulham is the likely outcome for the Portuguese midfielder.</p>



<p>The article goes on to say that the Reds thought the transfer of Palhinha to Munich would be an extremely costly one. During the summer, the Bavarian club reached an agreement to acquire him for $71 million. Even in January, the Cottagers would have wanted a comparable price.</p>



<h2>What did Palhinha say about his possible Fulham exit?</h2>



<p>Through it all, Palhinha has been an invaluable asset to Marco Silva’s squad this season. Over 21 games across all competitions, he has recorded two goals and one assist.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240113_WST_483287_imago1038870940h-1200x800_4abb623a.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" alt="" class="wp-image-483308" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/imago1038870940h-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/imago1038870940h-300x200.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/imago1038870940h-768x512.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/imago1038870940h-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/imago1038870940h-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Bayern Munich will not go back in for Palhinha, with the Bavarian club instead opting to sign Eric Dier, who has the ability to play in defensive midfield</figcaption></figure>



<p>But the 24-capped Portugal international has again teased about his future after saying he wants to leave England “someday.” Now, as a result, rumors about his future have returned.</p>



<p>“I’ve always said that I feel the love that the supporters have for me,” Palhinha said ahead of his side’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg with Liverpool. I know that someday I will leave Fulham. I want to give everything. I’m always 100% professional here, and I will do my job every time that I play for Fulham.</p>



<p>“This is why I always wanted to come here: to come to the best league in the world. My family looked for the best league for my game and where I fit better. It’s something that is important for me and for the club, because they’ve never won this cup. When you win a title — it can be Carabao [Cup], can be FA Cup – every title is important.”</p>



<h2>Could Bayern’s loss be Barcelona’s gain?</h2>



<p>Catalan outlet <a href="https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/palhinha-sigue-sonando-barca-96734234" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SPORT</a> suggest that <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> are the team that would be most interested in signing him if he were to leave his current club. They also add that the midfielder has made them his top club preference.</p>



<p>Unfortunately, the Spaniards’ financial woes mean that they cannot afford to pay the exorbitant salary that Palhinha agreed with Fulham last September. The deal is valid until June 2028 and includes a further possibility of another season.</p>



<p>‘Personal and sporting factors’ reportedly entice the midfielder to join Barcelona at Camp Nou. However, the Englishmen will likely seek a transfer price of $63 million.</p>



<p>Photo credits: IMAGO / Action Plus : IMAGO / FC Bayern München.</p>

Bayern's failed transfer dreams of joining Barcelona

Bayern's failed pursuit of Joao Palhinha could end up impacting Barcelona, with the player keen to join Los Cules

Bayern's failed transfer dreams of joining Barcelona - World Soccer Talk


<p>Bayern Munich will return for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/fulham-tv-schedule/">Fulham</a> midfielder Palhinha during the January transfer market. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/portugal-national-team-tv-schedule/">Portugal</a> international nearly joined the German giants on deadline day last week in a $59 million deal. However, the Cottagers failed to find a suitable replacement for the star, which nixed the agreement.</p>



<p>Although he did not join <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/bayern-munich-tv-schedule/">Bayern</a> on the day, Palhinha underwent a medical and even took photos with the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/bundesliga-tv-schedule/">Bundesliga</a> club’s jersey prior to the failed move. Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel later revealed that both parties were disappointed the deal fell through. “I was sad because I knew how much Joao Palhinha wanted to join us and what the player would have given us,” <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/thomas-tuchel-bayern-fulham-joao-palhinha-transfer-deadline-day/blte7f006546bca3f1f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a> Tuchel. “I don’t know what exactly went wrong.”</p>



<h5>Bayern currently thin in defensive midfield options</h5>



<p>Despite not officially securing Palinha, Bayern <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/gravenberch-to-join-liverpool-as-bayerns-move-for-palhinha-fails-20230901-WST-453528.html">still sold fellow midfielder</a> Ryan Gravenberch. The Netherlands international joined Liverpool just before the summer window closed for around $43 million. Gravenberch only managed to start three total league matches for Bayern during the 2022/23 campaign.</p>



<p>Nevertheless, <em><a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/palhinha-transfer-news-fulham-fc-bayern-munich-2023-b1105154.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Evening Standard</a></em> is reporting that the reigning Bundesliga champions will pursue Palhinha again in the coming months. While they may be the top team in Germany, Bayern currently only has one true defensive midfielder on the roster: Joshua Kimmich. The lack of depth could come back to haunt the club’s brass for not making a move sooner.</p>



<h2>Palhinha agent claims Bayern move has just been ‘postponed’</h2>



<p>Palhinha has been one of the standout performers for Fulham since his arrival to the club last year. In fact, the Portuguese midfielder led all Premier League players in total tackles for the 2022/23 season. He even recorded 47 more tackles than second-placed Moises Caicedo.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Joao Palhinha stuns Arsenal with late equalizer for Fulham | Premier League | NBC Sports" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LP64xGVjiY8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p>After the failed move to Bayern, Palhinha was left out of Fulham’s squad the following day for a matchup with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">Manchester City</a>. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> winners ended up thumping Fulham 5-1 on the day. </p>



<p>While the midfielder will soon return to the manager Marco Silva’s squad, he hasn’t given up on the opportunity to sign with Bayern. Palhinha’s agent even suggested that the move would eventually happen. “They [Fulham] didn’t kill the dream, they just postponed it,” <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/palhinha-transfer-news-fulham-fc-bayern-munich-2023-b1105154.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proclaimed</a> the player’s agent.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Colorsport</em></p>


Bayern to return for Fulham's Palhinha in January

Bayern Munich will reportedly return for Fulham midfielder Palhinha in the January transfer window after narrowly missing out this summer.

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Bayern's failed transfer dreams of joining Barcelona

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Bayern to return for Fulham's Palhinha in January