Last chance for Joao Palhinha! Bayern make €45m offer for Fulham midfielder - but German giants warn they will not go higher

Fulham have consistently valued Palhinha at £60m ($76m) since last summer. This valuation has been a sticking point in negotiations, as Bayern’s offer falls significantly short of Fulham’s asking price, but the German side have warned they will not improve on it. Nevertheless, Palhinha's keen interest in moving to Bayern adds a compelling dynamic to the ongoing discussions.

According to Sky, Fulham will make all efforts to prevent Palhinha from leaving and could make a special arrangement with the player to keep him. Last summer saw Bayern and Fulham nearly reach an agreement close to the £60m mark. Palhinha even travelled to Munich for a medical, but the transfer collapsed on deadline day, forcing him to return to Fulham. Following the setback, he signed a new contract, extending his stay until 2028, with an option for an additional 12 months.

The Portuguese midfielder has expressed his interest in playing for the Bundesliga champions, which could potentially sway the negotiations. He has already agreed to personal terms and will sign a contract until 2028 if he moves to Germany.

With the Palhinha deal hanging in the balance, Bayern have begun to explore alternative options. One prominent candidate is Everton’s Amadou Onana. The 22-year-old Belgian international has caught the attention of Bayern's scouts, offering a younger and potentially more versatile alternative to Palhinha. Onana’s performances in the Premier League and subsequently with Belgium at Euro 2024 have impressed many and Bayern manager Vincent Kompany is believed to be one of them.