Last summer, João Palhinha’s transfer to FC Bayern fell through on the home stretch. Bernd Leno, a teammate at Fulham FC, has now opened up about the failed deal.
“João was already in Munich, everything seemed safe. In the end it didn’t work out because we didn’t find a replacement,” said Leno in an interview with “Sport Bild”.
Palhinha was “very impressed” by FC Bayern. “How nice everyone was, how well organized it was,” the goalkeeper continued and added: “He would have loved to experience this adventure and was already disappointed afterwards.”
FC Bayern was close to signing Palhinha last summer. The 28-year-old was already in Munich on deadline day, but the deal with FC Fulham collapsed spectacularly on the home stretch.
FC Bayern still in the back of your mind with Palhinha?
“Of course I can’t lie: it was the opportunity of a lifetime that was presented to me. When a club like Bayern comes knocking, you can’t think of anything else,” Palhinha reflected on the London club’s own podcast last November.
According to Leno, the defensive midfielder didn’t show his disappointment. “João didn’t let himself down, he did it brilliantly, went straight back to full throttle. The fans were completely behind him, he put his heart and soul into it,” said the 31-year-old.
The Portuguese international extended his contract with FC Fulham until 2028 during the first half of the season, but a future move should not be ruled out. Whether FC Bayern will strike now seems questionable.
According to Leno, Palhinha can still imagine a move to the German record champions. “If Bayern still want him, I can imagine that it’s still in the back of João’s mind,” said the nine-time national player.