Aston Villa are considering a summer move for Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha. Unai Emery is at Villa Park. Villa suffered a major setback when Manchester United triggered Youri Tielemans’ £35 million release clause, just days after key midfielder Amadou Onana sustained a long-term knee injury at the World Cup. While Villa have agreed a deal for Swiss prodigy Johan Manzambi, Unai Emery is still seeking further midfield reinforcements, with Palhinha now a candidate.
The 31-year-old ‘beast’ is back on the market following the end of his season-long loan at Tottenham Hotspur. Although Spurs head coach Roberto De Zerbi praised Palhinha’s leadership, Tottenham chose not to activate their £26 million purchase option, instead completing high-profile moves for Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes. As a result, Palhinha is available for transfer, with Bayern Munich keen to offload his €9 million annual wage.
Bayern have reportedly set a €25 million asking price for a permanent transfer—a potential bargain for a proven Premier League performer.
However, Villa will face strong continental competition and must navigate Palhinha’s personal preferences if they are to secure his signature. The midfielder is reportedly leaning towards a return to Portugal, with Benfica making a strong push to sign him. Palhinha is said to be willing to accept a significant wage reduction to facilitate a move to Lisbon, while Juventus also remain interested in the background.
Unlike their Portuguese rivals, who prefer a loan with an obligation to buy, Aston Villa have the immediate funds to pay the €25 million fee upfront. With Champions League football on offer at Villa Park, the Europa League champions may hold a crucial advantage.