Joao Palhinha spent last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur
Joao Palhinha spent last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur(Image: Silvina Brodersohn - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Aston Villa transfer target João Palhinha is heading to Benfica from Bayern Munich.
The 31-year-old midfielder was being targeted by Villa to cover for Amadou Onana, who suffered an ACL injury during the World Cup.
Villa wanted to recruit Palhinha on loan, without an obligation to buy, but Benfica were willing to sign him on a permanent basis.
Multiple reports have now confirmed that Palhinha is heading to Benfica in a deal worth €15 million up front, with a further €5 million available in add-ons.
Villa will now need to reassess their options in the transfer market after losing out on Palhinha, a player Damian Vidagany publicly confirmed the club's interest in.
Vidagany told Bild: “We need a midfielder because Amadou Onana is out for the entire season – and João Palhinha is a very good player who would fit our plans.
“We are in talks, but there is currently no agreement. If something were to happen, it would always be based on the great respect we have for Bayern.
“We are friendly clubs, and our relationship with Max Eberl, Christoph Freund, and all the other officials is excellent. Therefore, I cannot and do not wish to comment on any further details.”
“I believe Aston Villa would be a great club for the player. In the league, six or seven clubs have a bigger budget than us,” he added.
“Nevertheless, we’ve qualified for international competitions every year for the past four years. That’s down to our project, our work as a team, and the tactical influence of Unai Emery, who in my eyes is one of the best coaches in the world.”
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