Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich: Fulham make £60m transfer demand after fresh bid rejected

Fulham value Joao Palhinha at £60million and have rejected Bayern Munich’s initial £30m bid for his services.

The Portugal midfielder is back on Bayern’s radar after last summer, when a proposed £58m move fell through while he was having his medical in Bavaria after Fulham failed to find a replacement on deadline day.

Bayern have agreed personal terms with the player and this week made a fresh £30m bid, but Fulham believe his value has not changed from last summer.

In September, Palhinha signed a new contract until 2028 with an option for a further year.

The 28-year-old has spent two excellent seasons at Fulham since his £17m move from Sporting CP in 2022. In both campaigns, he has been the Premier League’s top tackler.

Fulham rejected a £45m bid from West Ham last July before provisionally accepting Bayern’s £58m offer in August.

The German giants expect to pay between £33.8m and £38m this time around, but Fulham are holding out for closer to £60m.

Palhinha has scored twice in 27 caps for Portugal since making his senior international debut in March 2021 and is set to play a key role for his country at Euro 2024.

In February, Fulham’s vice-chairman, Tony Khan, said Palhinha’s sale could be sanctioned for the right price.

Khan said: “I would want him as part of the team for as long as possible and we were very happy to extend his contract, but if an offer came along that would make sense for everyone I think that’s something you have to consider with every player at the right time.”