Joao Palhinha opens door to Fulham transfer exit - "We'll see what happens"

Joao Palhinha has refused to rule out a summer transfer amid interest from long-term admirers Bayern Munich.

The highly-rated Fulham midfielder, 28, was pursued by the German giants last year and even travelled to Munich before a deal collapsed on transfer deadline day.

Palhinha has since signed a new contract with Fulham, tying him to Craven Cottage until the summer of 2028. But Bayern are still lurking in the background - and while the Portugal international has admitted it's likely he will stay, he stopped short of ruling out a transfer altogether.

“At the moment, today, the likelihood is I stay at Fulham, but we'll see what happens,” he told Flashscore. “I have immense respect for the Fulham organisation, people know what a professional I am and that's the example I want to pass on to the many kids who follow me and look up to me.”

Fulham's failure to sign a replacement for Palhinha led to the collapse of his dream move. The former Sporting CP ace had even completed a medical with the Bundesliga outfit.

When he was pressed specifically on interest from Bayern Munich and the chances of resurrecting that move, Palhinha admitted he was none the wiser as to whether it could happen.

He continued: “I don't know if it's a closed door or not, everything in football is very uncertain. I can't say it's a closed or open door. I can't put myself in a position like that either.

“Today I want to focus more on the European Championships because that's the goal, to leave a good impression at the Euros, and then everything else will follow.

"People already know me. The fact that I'm in the Premier League means I'm in a very big shop window, probably the biggest of them all. The Euros is also a showcase that everyone is following all over the world.”

Palhinha has made 79 appearances in total for Fulham since moving to the Premier League in the summer of 2022 and is widely recognised as one of the division's top defensive midfielders.

After missing out on the German title to Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich will look to rebuild under new head coach, Vincent Kompany. The former Manchester City captain was confirmed as Bayern's new boss earlier this week after the Bundesliga outfit agreed a compensation package with Burnley for the Belgian's services.