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SportsBayern's Palhinha makes U-turn, says he wants to stay despite club's plan to sell
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In a dramatic turn of events, FC Bayern Munich midfielder João Palhinha (31) has publicly stated he wants to stay at the club, contradicting the club's clear intention to sell him this summer. After a friendly match against Wehen Wiesbaden, sports director Christoph Freund reaffirmed that Palhinha and Sacha Boey are not in coach Vincent Kompany's plans and that the club aims to sell them permanently, citing they 'have a market.' However, Palhinha, when asked about his future, surprisingly said, 'I want to keep my position here.' This comes after a failed loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur (which included a €30 million purchase option that was not exercised) and recent negotiations with Sporting Lisbon, Benfica, and Aston Villa that did not result in a transfer. Palhinha has now joined Bayern's pre-season training, signaling a potential change in his future plans.
Source report
Wiesbaden – This comes completely unexpectedly! In recent weeks, it seemed clear that FC Bayern and João Palhinha (31), despite a valid contract until 2028, wanted to finally part ways this summer. After the friendly match against Wehen Wiesbaden (1:2), sports director Christoph Freund (48) reaffirmed the club's intention to sell. But then, suddenly, the player made a completely surprising statement about his future.
Sports director Christoph Freund (48) wants to sell João Palhinha (31) this summer. Photo: picture alliance/firo Sportphoto
On the way from the Wiesbaden stadium to the team bus, Palhinha said when asked about his future plans:
"I want to keep my position here."
Curiously, shortly before, sports director Freund had stated that he still wanted to sell Palhinha. The Austrian said when asked:
"They (Palhinha and Sacha Boey; editor's note) know. They are training with us now, but they will no longer play a major role in our planning. They are good players, they train properly, they will stay with us for now. But the plan is for them to take the next steps elsewhere."
Coach Vincent Kompany (40) has no use for either of them, and the club wants to generate revenue from their departures.
Freund Wants Sale: "Palhinha and Boey Have a Market"
Freund would prefer a permanent transfer for both Boey and Palhinha. When asked about the possibility of another loan, the Bayern boss replied:
"That's not our plan, but we are currently not ruling anything out. Both (Palhinha and Boey; editor's note) are very interesting players who have a market. I believe they would be a good fit for many teams."
But Palhinha apparently no longer wants to go along with the sales plan – a drastic turn.
In recent months, it seemed clear that not only Bayern wanted a separation this summer. The midfield destroyer also had the intention of permanently leaving the German record champions. The clearest evidence: His loan to Tottenham last season included a purchase option for the London club of around €30 million, which was not exercised. Nevertheless, everything afterwards indicated that Palhinha would push for a transfer to another club.
As BILD reported, his entourage recently negotiated with Sporting and Benfica Lisbon as well as Aston Villa. However, none of the interested parties have so far been able to agree with Bayern on the terms of a move.
Now Palhinha, who joined the Munich team's pre-season training last Monday, has apparently changed his future plans.
Source
BILD - SportWestern
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