João Palhinha wants to stay at Bayern Munich. The Portuguese defensive midfielder, who joined Bayern from Fulham for €51 million, is under contract until 2028 and has publicly stated his desire to fight for a spot in the squad. He’s expected to report for pre-season training, a clear signal that he’s not angling for an exit despite a turbulent stretch in Bavaria.
A winding road through Munich and London
After arriving with significant expectations and a price tag to match, the midfielder found playing time hard to come by. That scarcity of minutes led to a loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur for the 2025-26 season. But Palhinha isn’t reading from the typical script. Instead of using the loan as a springboard to a permanent move elsewhere, he appears determined to return to Munich and prove he belongs. He’s called playing for Bayern his “dream.”
Sporting CP has been the most prominent suitor, reportedly engaging in talks with Bayern about a potential deal. Bayern initially valued Palhinha at around €30 million but has since reduced its asking price to €25 million in discussions with the Portuguese club. That’s a significant haircut from the €51 million they originally paid. Juventus has also been mentioned as an interested party.
