As the summer transfer window gets underway, Fulham are looking into the possibility of bringing back a player they know very well—João Palhinha.
Just a year after selling him to Bayern Munich, the West London club could now be ready to welcome him back.
Palhinha Struggles to Find His Footing in Germany
Things haven’t exactly gone as planned for Palhinha in Germany.
After his £48 million move to Bayern Munich last summer, the 29-year-old midfielder has struggled for game time under the club’s new manager, Vincent Kompany.
Despite his reputation and past performances in the Premier League, Palhinha managed only seven Bundesliga starts throughout the season.
His situation wasn’t helped by a lengthy injury spell that saw him sidelined for over two months.
In total, he made 17 appearances across all competitions—but failed to record a single goal or assist.
For a player of his quality, those numbers suggest it might be time for a reset.
Fulham Among Clubs Interested in Premier League Return
Several Premier League clubs are now keeping a close eye on the situation, and Fulham are one of the front-runners.
The idea being floated is a potential loan move—though Palhinha’s high wages might complicate any deal.
Still, with Bayern open to offers and the player reportedly willing to stay and fight for his place, it could come down to how serious Fulham are about rekindling the partnership.
From West London to Munich and Possibly Back Again
Palhinha originally joined Fulham in 2022 and quickly became a fan favorite, scoring eight goals in 79 appearances.
He was set to move to Bayern Munich on deadline day in 2023, but that deal fell apart at the last minute—only to be completed a year later.
Now, just one season into his Bayern career, there’s already speculation he could be heading back to Craven Cottage.
Palhinha Plays Minimal Role in Portugal’s Nations League Win
Despite being part of Portugal’s Nations League-winning squad earlier this month, Palhinha saw barely any action—just one minute between the semi-final and the final matches.
It’s a sign that he may need more regular club football if he wants to cement his place in the national team setup moving forward.
Fulham’s Summer Shake-Up Begins
So far, Fulham haven’t made many moves in the transfer market, but some departures have already been confirmed.
Willian and Carlos Vinicius are among 13 players leaving the club at the end of the month as their contracts expire.
Could Palhinha’s return be the first big incoming deal of the summer? Fulham fans will be watching closely.