Transfer Centre

Fulham's Joao Palhinha 'confirms desire to move to Bayern Munich next January'

By Devesh Jaganath | 12 September 2023

Palhinha 'wants Bayern move in January transfer window'

Joao Palhinha reportedly confirms that he wants to leave Fulham to join Bayern Munich next January after failing to make the switch during the off-season transfer window.

Joao Palhinha has reportedly confirmed that he wants to leave Fulham to join Bayern Munich next January.

During the summer transfer window, the midfielder was on the verge of moving to the Bundesliga champions, but the deal fell through as Fulham struggled to secure a suitable replacement for him.

The Cottagers communicated their willingness to let the midfielder depart on the last day of the transfer window and even granted him permission to travel to Munich for a medical examination.

Despite the deal collapsing at the last hour, Bayern remain interested in the Portuguese international and will make another attempt to bring him to Germany in the next window since they feel they are still short of options in defensive midfield.

Joao Palhinha celebrates scoring for Fulham on September 16, 2022 © Reuters

According to a report from TeamTalk, Palhinha has now reiterated his desire to join The Bavarians and expects his current employers to allow him to make the switch in January.

The report also explains that despite pushing for the move, the player will continue representing Fulham as he is aware that he will have to maintain a suitable performance standard to ensure that he remains at the top of Bayern's most wanted list.

Palhinha moved to London from Sporting Lisbon last season, and his current contract at Craven Cottage is not set to expire until 2027.

In his first season at Fulham, the defensive midfielder made a total of 35 appearances, scoring three goals, and has already opened his account in his first two matches this term.