An out-of-sorts Bayern Munich star is being eyed for a transfer by Aston Villa and Brighton.
Aston Villa are reportedly among several Premier League clubs to have approached Bayern Munich ahead of a potential swoop for defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha.
Unai Emery, despite already having the likes of Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana, John McGinn and Ross Barkley at his disposal, is eager to bolster Villa’s options at the base of midfield. A double pivot just in front of the centre halves is pivotal to Emery’s build-up play, with one often a more physical and defensive type, so it’s pivotal to have as much quality as physically possible.
Palhinha, signed by Bayern from Fulham 12 months ago for around £44 million, has failed to have the desired impact in Munich and could leave this summer – potentially for Villa. The Portugal international suffered two injuries during his first season in Germany and racked up fewer than 1,000 minutes across all competitions, with merely six starts in the Bundesliga.
Aston Villa and Brighton contact Bayern over Palhinha deal
Villa and many of their Premier League rivals have been keeping close tabs on Palhinha’s situation and could offer an escape route back to England. The 29-year-old seems to be determined to make it work at Bayern but there’s only so much you can do sitting on the bench week in and week out.
Sport Bild have reported, via their Bayern Insider Podcast, that Villa have asked Bayern about Palhinha’s availability ahead of a possible bid. The Villans aren’t the only ones, however, with Brighton & Hove Albion, Manchester United and West Ham United all said to have done the same. Palhinha’s former side, Fulham, are bound to be keen too.
It awaits to be seen if Bayern would be willing to let Palhinha go and, if so, how much they would need to be offered to sanction a sale. You’d think there would at least be desire from the Bavarian giants to discuss a deal as Palhinha doesn’t appear to be in the forefront of manager Vincent Kompany’s plans, but it’s not always that straightforward.
Palhinha arrival could trigger Boubacar Kamara sale
If Palhinha were to make the move to Villa Park, it could perhaps spell the end of Kamara’s time at the club. Emery adores Kamara and sees the France international as indispensable but he’s still yet to put pen to paper on a new contract despite being offered lucrative new terms several months ago.
Kamara’s current deal now has less than two years left to run and this summer could be an opportunity to cash in if he informs the club he has no desire to extend. It would come as a huge blow to lose Kamara but the Villans could rake in a huge transfer fee to help next year’s PSR situation, while it’d also help in regards to UEFA’s squad cost rules.
Palhinha may not be as mobile or as good at dribbling as Kamara, but he’s certainly up there with the Frenchman when it comes to his defensive attributes and could be a fine replacement. During his final season in the Premier League, Palhinha was in the top three per cent of all defensive midfielders for tackles won (75), duels won (259) and interceptions (46). He also made 195 recoveries, more than 91 per cent of fellow midfield players.
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