There might be some reality to the rumors linking Newcastle United to Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha.
If that’s the case, then Newcastle has received a significant boost after Bayern publicly confirmed the Portugal international is available for transfer this summer.
The Magpies have been linked with the veteran midfielder in recent days as they prepare for Bruno Guimaraes’ move to Arsenal, with Palhinha emerging as one of the leading candidates to replace the club captain in Tyneside.
Those
reports have been strengthened by Bayern sporting director Max Eberl, who admitted on Friday (h/t iMiaSanMia) that Palhinha is no longer part of the German club’s plans.
“We have three players we are open to letting go,” Eberl said. “They have no future at Bayern. If they want to stay with us, it will be tough because we are not planning with them. Then they won’t play a role. That’s the case with Sacha Boey, Joao Palhinha and Bryan Zaragoza.”
Those comments come after ESPN Brasil’s Bruno Andrade reported Newcastle had identified Palhinha as one of two midfielders, the other one unnamed, to replace Guimaraes.
“Newcastle United have two midfielders on their shortlist as potential replacements for Bruno Guimaraes, who is heading towards joining Arsenal,” Andrade said. “One of those players is Joao Palhinha. Newcastle see him as a good replacement.”
Palhinha spent last season on loan at Tottenham after struggling for regular opportunities at Bayern and is understood to prefer remaining in the Premier League.
While Newcastle has yet to make a formal move for Palhinha, Eberl’s confirmation that Bayern is actively looking to sell him removes one potential obstacle if the Magpies decide to accelerate talks and try to convince the German giants to move on from him for a reasonable fee, with the midfielder having a €15 million valuation on Transfermarkt.
