Fulham agree club-record £47m deal to sell Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich

Fulham and Bayern Munich have reached an agreement over the transfer of midfielder Joao Palhinha, who is now set to join the German club in a deal worth up to around £47 million.

Telegraph Sport reported last month that Bayern remained hopeful of finally completing their move for the Portugal international, who came agonisingly close to joining the German giants last summer.

Telegraph Sport understands that the framework of a deal is now in place between the two clubs, with Fulham set to receive a club-record fee if the final details can be clarified.

It is understood that Bayern will pay an initial fee of around £43 million for Palhinha, with potential add-ons worth around £4 million.

Those add-ons, if the clauses are met, will take the transfer fee above the deal that saw Aleksandar Mitrovic join Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal from Fulham for around £45 million last summer.

Bayern had agreed to pay close to £60 million for Palhinha last summer but the deal collapsed on transfer deadline day, despite the midfielder flying to Munich for a medical.

The new agreement, if it can be finalised, will represent a significant profit for Fulham after they bought Palhinha from Sporting CP for around £17 million in the summer of 2022.

Bayern’s moves for Palhinha and Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise come after they signed Harry Kane and Eric Dier in the past year, with the club showing a clear interest in Premier League players.

As revealed by Telegraph Sport last month, Fulham have made Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe one of their summer transfer priorities and are keen to move for the 23-year-old in this window.

Smith Rowe, who has made three appearances for England, has struggled for game-time at Arsenal in recent seasons after struggling with fitness issues and falling down Mikel Arteta’s pecking order.