Manchester United were interested in signing midfielder Joao Palinha, who almost joined Bayern Munich, according to a report.
“United were interested in Fulham’s Palinha,” global sports outlet The Athletic reported on Friday (local time). United could push for his signature in the winter.”
A member of the Portuguese national team, Palinha is a defensive midfielder who stands at a sturdy 5’10”. He joined Fulham from Sporting Lisbon ahead of last season. In the 2022/23 season, Palinha scored four goals in 40 games across all competitions. Last season, he was the top tackler in the EPL with 147 tackles.
Palinha was initially linked with a move in the summer transfer window. Bayern Munich was one of the clubs targeting Palinha. After losing Ryan Hrabenberger to Liverpool, the Bavarians were looking for reinforcements in the defensive midfield position. According to The Athletic, Munich coach Thomas Tuchel thought highly of Palinha.
According to Florian Plettenberg of Germany’s Sky Sports, the Bavarians made a €65 million ($93 million) offer for Palinha. Palinha himself was keen on a move to Munich. Fulham accepted Munich’s offer and Palinha boarded a plane to Munich. He completed his medical and appeared to be on his way to joining the Bavarians.
Palinha’s move to Munich fell through at the last minute. Fulham searched for a replacement for Palinha, including Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Manchester United’s Scott McTominay, but were unable to find one until just before the deadline. With a 카지노사이트 hole in their defensive midfield, Fulham revoked Palinha’s transfer. Unsurprisingly, Palinha, who thought he was headed to Munich, returned to England in dismay.
Despite the failed summer transfer, Palinha’s door to Munich is still open. According to Niger Kinsella of the British Evening Standard, the Bavarians will try again in January to sign Palinha. In the meantime, according to The Athletic, United manager Eric ten Hagg was impressed with Palinha last season. It will be interesting to see where Palinha ends up next winter.