Ten Hag faces MAJOR transfer competition to bring Premier League star to Man Utd

Updated: 9 Sept 2023 12:30 BST
3 min read

Erik ten Hag, Man Utd, 2023/24 — © ProShots

João Palhinha missed out on a transfer to Bayern Munich at the very last minute this summer but the German giants will make another attempt to lure the Fulham star to the Allianz Arena in January, although they will have to take stiff competition into account.

Fulham were open to Palhinha's departure in the summer for an amount of between €60 and €70 million after the 28-year-old expressed a desire to leave.

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Transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano previously reported that Bayern want to make another attempt to sign Palhinha in the winter, however the German top club is not the only team with interest.

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According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona has identified Palhinha, together with Guido Rodríguez (Real Betis) and Jorginho (Arsenal), as a winter reinforcement, while The Athletic also reports that Erik ten Hag would like to add the midfielder to the Manchester United squad.

Bayern are reportedly willing to go far for Palhinha and, according to BILD , would even be willing to pay up to €100 million for the Portuguese international.

Palhinha looking to make big transfer

In the summer, Fulham and the German top club agreed on a transfer fee of 65 million euros and Palhinha had even undergone a medical examination in Munich. However, a transfer fell through because Fulham failed to attract a replacement in time.

Manchester United in turn missed out on the arrival of Ryan Gravenberch, who left Bayern for Liverpool for €40m. However, the Red Devils strengthened the midfield just before the closing of the transfer market with Sofyan Amrabat, who was taken over on loan from Fiorentina. An option to purchase was included in the lease.

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Palhinha played in the youth academy of SG Sacavenense between 2009 and 2012, after which he left for Sporting.

After several loans at Moreirense, Belenenses and Sporting Braga, the defensive midfielder finally made his breakthrough in Lisbon and earned a transfer to Fulham. The Londoners paid €21m for Palhinha in 2022.

Palhinha was a standout performer during his debut year in the Premier League, prompting major interest from major European sides, and Bayern have not given up hope on signing Thomas Tuchel's top target.