Benfica are refusing to give up on João Palhinha. After Bayern Munich rejected an initial proposal for a loan deal, the Portuguese club are now looking at a different approach to bring the midfielder back to his home country.
According to reports, Benfica are prepared to offer a permanent transfer for Palhinha, with the €25 million-plus fee Bayern are demanding potentially being spread over two seasons. That structure could make the deal more financially manageable for the Portuguese giants, who remain determined to strengthen their midfield with the 31-year-old.
Bayern have made their position increasingly clear: the Bundesliga champions want a permanent solution for Palhinha rather than another loan. The Portugal international returned to Munich this summer after spending the 2025/26 season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur. Despite making 45 appearances and scoring seven goals for Spurs, the Premier League club decided against making his move permanent.
Palhinha is not part of Vincent Kompany’s long-term plans at Bayern, however, meaning the club are actively looking for a buyer. Bayern are understood to be waiting for the best possible offer rather than rushing into an agreement. Max Eberl has recently indicated that the club remains open to different solutions, although a permanent transfer would clearly be the preferred outcome.
For Benfica, there is also a strong sporting argument behind the pursuit. Manager Marco Silva knows Palhinha extremely well from their time together at Fulham and is reportedly desperate to work with the midfielder again. Silva sees the experienced defensive midfielder as an ideal addition to his squad.
Palhinha himself has previously left the door open to a return to Benfica. The midfielder spent part of his youth career at the Lisbon club before establishing himself at Sporting CP, Braga and eventually Fulham. A return to the Estádio da Luz would therefore represent a significant homecoming for the Portugal international.
Benfica are not alone in their pursuit, though. Newcastle United have emerged as another serious contender for Palhinha and could offer Bayern the kind of permanent transfer the German club are looking for. The Magpies are searching for an experienced central midfielder after major changes in their midfield this summer.