Arsenal and Tottenham have been alerted to João Palhinha’s cut-price availability, with Bayern Munich willing to sell the former Fulham enforcer for nearly half his original fee.
Just one year after completing a high-profile move to Bayern Munich, João Palhinha could be set for a Premier League return—and Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs on alert. According to German journalist Christian Falk, the Bavarians are open to offloading the Portuguese midfielder for as little as €25–30 million (£22–26m), nearly half of what they paid Fulham last summer.
Palhinha’s debut campaign in Germany has been underwhelming. Limited to just seven Bundesliga starts, the 30-year-old struggled to cement a place in a Bayern midfield packed with talent and has now been deemed surplus to requirements under new boss Vincent Kompany.
Arsenal & Spurs Monitoring Developments
Arsenal had previously explored a deal for Palhinha before the FIFA Club World Cup last season, but nothing came of it. Since then, the Gunners have brought in Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and Christian Nørgaard from Brentford, effectively restocking their midfield. While Mikel Arteta remains an admirer of Palhinha’s aggressive ball-winning style, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal are still in the race following those reinforcements.
Tottenham, meanwhile, are weighing up midfield options amid growing uncertainty around Yves Bissouma’s future. Ange Postecoglou is said to value Palhinha’s proven Premier League experience and combative presence in midfield, traits that could add balance to a side that sometimes lacks bite in central areas.
Palhinha: “I Don’t Know What Will Happen”
Speaking to the media this week, Palhinha admitted uncertainty about his future but stressed his commitment to Bayern—at least on paper:
I have a contract for three more years, so I’ll report for duty on July 29. Obviously, it hasn’t been an easy year, but I’m very motivated to prove my worth once again at a very special club, a huge club.
His comments, while diplomatic, leave the door open for a move, particularly if one of the north London giants comes calling. Given his prior success in England—he topped all five major European leagues in tackles during both of his seasons at Fulham—Palhinha still carries significant appeal.
A Low-Risk Option with High Upside?
For any Premier League side in need of an elite defensive shield, Palhinha could represent a smart, low-risk investment. At £26 million, his fee reflects both Bayern’s eagerness to trim their squad and the fact that he turns 31 in July. But his track record in England speaks volumes. He was a standout performer at Craven Cottage, combining ferocity in the tackle with positional discipline and underrated passing range.
If either Arsenal or Spurs follow up on their interest, Palhinha could prove to be a shrewd acquisition—not as a marquee name, but as a specialist who plugs a specific gap in the engine room. For now, it’s a waiting game. But as pre-season edges closer, his future may soon become one of the more intriguing sagas to watch in this summer’s transfer window.
