Bayern Munich ‘in advanced talks to sign Joao Palhinha in £38m deal’, as the German giants revive their interest in the Fulham midfielder after his proposed move collapsed on deadline day last year

Joao Palhinha’s move to Bayern Munich has begun again after negotiations between the German giants and Fulham reached an advanced stage.

The midfielder, who is currently preparing to play for Portugal in the 2024 European Championship, was due to move to the Bundesliga club last summer but the move fell through at the last minute.

The Portuguese flew to Germany for a medical on the way to Munich, and were ready to complete the deal on deadline day of the summer window.

But Fulham immediately pulled the plug after failing to find a replacement for the midfielder before the window closed.

According to Sky Germany, the deal has now been revived and the 28-year-old is on the verge of a move for around £35-40 million.

The Portuguese midfielder was close to a move last summer, but the deal was scrapped

New Bayern boss Vincent Kompany has identified Palhinha as a key target for the club

Palhinha is still the club’s main target for the position, as new boss Vincent Kompany follows a trophyless season for the German club.

A verbal agreement is said to have been reached and now the clubs must finalize the deal, with Bayern looking to complete the transfer before the European Championship starts next Friday.

The midfielder joined Fulham from Sporting in 2022 and was named the club’s player of the year in his first season at the club after an impressive debut season.

In total, he made 79 appearances for the Cottagers, scoring eight goals and building a reputation as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.

He is now ready to become a key player for the national team, which will look to copy the 2016 squad by winning the European Championship.

Palhinha has 27 caps for the national team and two goals to his name, and is likely to start alongside Bruno Fernandes in midfield for Roberto Martinez’s side.

The Portuguese international has built a reputation as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League

Palhinha moved to Fulham in 2022 and was the club’s player of the year in his first season

Portugal starts its campaign against the Czech Republic on Tuesday before Group F matches with Ukraine and Georgia.

Last night, Palhinha played the full 90 minutes as Martinez’s men suffered a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in a friendly warm-up.

They play Ireland on Tuesday in their final friendly before heading to Germany for the final.