Roberto Martinez, the head coach of Portugal, asserts that if Bayern Munich defeats teams like Manchester United and Barcelona at Joao Palhinha this summer, they will undoubtedly have superior talent the following season.
In August of last year, Palhinha, 28, seemed to be heading from Fulham to Bayern, but the trade fell through in the last few hours of the transfer window, leaving the midfielder at Craven Cottage for the 2023–24 season.
Since the first transfer fell through, the Portugal international has made no secret of his desire to force a switch to Bayern. The Bundesliga giants renewed their chase of him last month, submitting two proposals, the largest of which was £38 million, for his talents.
These offers were swiftly turned down, though, with Fulham demanding a fee of £60m for their prized possession, and Manchester United and Barca are believed to be keeping tabs on the situation.
However, it’s understood Bayern remains Palhinha’s preference and the former Sporting star showed exactly why Europe’s elite are battling it out for his signature with an all-action display in Portugal’s nervy penalty-shootout win over Slovenia to reach the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
Asked whether Palhinha’s impressive performance proved he is good enough for Bayern, Portugal boss Martinez told reporters: ‘I loved the performance of Joao Palhinha, I must admit.
‘I think the performance that he had, it was essential in this type of game. Slovenia had very quick counter-attacks, the speed of [Benjamin] Sesko and [Andraz] Sporar and then the second balls, and he was exceptional.
‘He’s not just good enough for Bayern. He would improve Bayern. I think he is someone that makes the players around him better.’
Palhinha “deserves whatever comes his way” in the future, in Martinez’s opinion.
With so many victories in Portugal, he’s at the pinnacle of his career. After that, he plays in the Premier League, where he excels, the Spaniard said.
“I believe the performance today speaks louder than anything I can say, but he deserves whatever comes his way.”
“I can talk about the man, who is even more significant than the performance you witnessed today.”
Palhinha emphasized that Fulham and Bayern were both aware of where he intended to play football the next season, prior to Portugal’s triumph against Slovenia.
He told reporters, “As far as my future is concerned, both clubs know where I want to be in a month.”
Palhinha, who has 79 appearances and eight goals for Fulham, is under contract with the west London team till 2028.