A potential move for João Palhinha to Sporting was ruled out because of FC Bayern München's €25 million asking price, and a move to Tottenham did not materialize. The 30-year-old Portuguese defensive midfielder has since received inquiries from Italian clubs. Juventus is reportedly among the most interested clubs. However, the club is currently facing UEFA-imposed restrictions for financial fair play violations. The team is looking for players with a similar profile to Palhinha but who are younger and more economically accessible. It is possible, however, that they may decide to pursue the Portuguese international later.
It has been suggested that Milan, which is managed by Rúben Amorim who formerly coached the player, is interested. The club has not yet made any move for him. João Palhinha's contract with Bayern is valid until June 2028. The midfielder has 37 caps for Portugal and a current market value of €15.00m, according to Transfermarkt. His initial transfer from Fulham to Bayern in July 2024 was for a reported €51M. He was later loaned to Tottenham in August 2025 for a €5M fee. In June 2026, it was widely reported that Tottenham had an expiring purchase option valued at €30M, or a guaranteed €25M plus add-ons.
