Should Fulham re-sign Joao Palhinha?

“Free Palhinha.”

This was the phrase used by Bayern Munich fan accounts on X after João Palhinha’s transfer from SW6 to Bavaria collapsed on transfer deadline day in 2023.

Despite a reported £65m fee agreed and Fulham granting the Portugal midfielder permission to fly to Germany for a medical on Transfer Deadline Day, the Whites couldn’t find a replacement in time. This left Bayern supporters – and Palhinha himself – bitterly disappointed as he returned to English soil.

We all know what happened next. Bayern kept their interest alive, and João got his dream move in the summer of 2024 in a transfer worth around £47m, following two outstanding seasons in SW6.

But this week, the script has flipped. Fulham fans have taken to social media with their own #FreePalhinha posts after reports emerged that Bayern are planning to sell the midfielder, and that Shahid Khan and Marco Silva would like to re-sign the 29-year-old.

So, what’s going on with Palhinha in Germany? How reliable are the sources? And should Fulham take him back?

What’s gone wrong?

Palhinha won Fulham’s Player of the Season for 2022/23 and was integral in the heart of midfield the following campaign, topping the division charts for tackles made with a staggering 152.

The former Sporting man caught the eye of then-Bayern head coach Thomas Tuchel, who was vital in fighting for Palinha’s signature in 2023, before the transfer spectacularly collapsed. Tuchel left the club at the end of last season, but Bayern’s sporting director, Max Eberl, was still keen for the Portuguese’s services and was key to his signing.

Palhinha arrived under a new regime led by ex-Burnley manager Vincent Kompany, appointed ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. And this is where the problem lies. The Belgian’s brand of football – a Pep Guardiola knock-off – doesn’t suit Palhinha’s play style or Kompany’s system. This was very much a Tuchel signing.

So far this season, Palhinha has played 932 minutes across 22 appearances under Kompany, though he missed 15 matches due to injury and illness. The ex-City defender favours Leon Goretzka over Palhinha, an unpopular choice amongst ardent Bayern fans.

With sources claiming Kompany doesn’t see Palhinha in his plans, a departure after a frustrating debut season looks increasingly likely. And with Fulham reportedly circling, it seems we might be ready to rescue our midfield damsel in distress.

How the rumours started

Christian Falk, a Bayern reporter, first broke the news on April 13 that Kompany wants to sell Palhinha, and that the club backs this decision. Bayern allegedly hope to recoup some of the £47m they paid Fulham, and are awaiting offers from Premier League sides, with several agents monitoring the situation.

However, last week, Christoph Freund, Bayern director, said: “It’s not our plan at all to let João Palhinha go in the summer.

“He hasn’t really gotten into a rhythm – partly due to injuries. This is his first year playing at such a big club. He’s a true professional, a great character, and a top guy.”

Florian Plettenberg then reported for Sky Sports that Palhinha wants to stay and fight for his place, despite a rocky relationship with Kompany. Plettenberg also shared how Palhinha’s family are mainly responsible for deciding his future, who aren’t pushing for a move away from Munich.

Despite the mixed messages, Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) reported that West Ham and – wait for it – Fulham –  are among those interested in signing Palhinha, with Silva and Khan leading the charge.

Should we go back?

Palhinha would undoubtedly strengthen Silva’s squad, adding immense depth to a system he knows intimately, under a manager he has a superb relationship.

But what about Sasa Lukic and Sander Berge? The double-pivot has been a revelation this term, and the biggest compliment you can pay the pair is that it doesn’t look like we’ve missed the Portuguese destroyer.

With that being said, a duo of Palhinha and either Lukic or Berge is enticing. Marco could even opt for all three, playing Lukic in a more advanced role.

Bayern’s desire to recoup all, or at least most, of the £47m they paid for Palhinha is a turn-off. The midfielder turns 30 in July and considering that area of the pitch isn’t a weak point for the Whites, such a fee could, and arguably should, be invested elsewhere.

However, if Fulham qualify for Europe next season, the squad will need reinforcements to cope with the increased fixture load. Bringing in a player of Palhinha’s calibre would feel like a no-brainer, provided the fee isn’t excessive. But if Silva’s side falls short of European qualification, his return starts to feel more like a luxury than a necessity.

Joao Palhinha will be eager for regular first-team football to secure his spot in Portugal’s 2026 World Cup squad. And who knows, Craven Cottage might just be his next destination.