5 months ago
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Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha will reject any approach from Manchester United and is intent on joining Bayern Munich this summer, according to reports in Germany.
The 28-year-old came close to joining Bayern last summer but his €65 million (£55.6m) move collapsed in the closing stages of the transfer window as Fulham were unable to sign a replacement.
Palhinha signed a new contract with Fulham shortly after the transfer window closed but after another impressive season in the Premier League the midfielder is expected to be on the move this summer.
Bayern have retained their interest in the Portugal international, however, reports this week have claimed that two bids from the Bundesliga club, the highest of which being €45m (£38m), have been rejected by Fulham.
Manchester United and Barcelona have also registered their interest in Palhinha but according to Sky Germany, the midfielder has made it clear to Fulham that he only wants to move to Bayern.
The report claims that both Bayern and Palhinha’s are confident an agreement can be reached before the end of the summer window.
Speaking after his failed move to Bayern last September, Palhinha said: ‘Obviously, it affected me and my family a lot, but it’s water under the bridge, I don’t want to remember too much about it.
‘It’s a great pride, you know what happened. In my life everything that has been happening – it has been for a reason, I like to think that way. The future will tell me whether what really happened was what had to happen or not.
‘But only the future will show me that. I want to continue walking the journey as I’ve been doing, no one has given me anything throughout my career, everything I’ve achieved is earned, for my work. I hope that continues to be the case. I’m 28 years old, but I know I can reach higher and it’s with this ambition that I face the future.’
Thomas Tuchel, who was also supported Bayern’s push to sign Palhinha for the start of the season, said: ‘I was sad because I know what he would have added to our team.
‘He was sad and disappointed. We’ll speak again about what happened. Everyone did what they had to do, but it was too late in the end.’
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