Former João Palhinha teammate Diogo Viana revealed details behind the Portuguese midfielder’s impending move back to his come country with SL Benfica — despite Bayern Munich’s efforts to convince him to join Newcastle United instead for an apparently higher transfer fee.
The Bavarians put the full court press on Palhinha, per Viana.
“Newcastle even prepared private planes to fly the family over, but João had always said he wanted to join Benfica,” revealed Viana for Sport TV Portugal, as captured by
@iMiaSanMia.. “[Bayern coach] Kompany called João in for a private conversation, as did the sporting director, in an attempt to force through a move to Newcastle and convince João that he was a Premier League player.
“João even said that if he didn’t go to Benfica, he wouldn’t mind mortgaging his career and staying there all year. Bayern understood that either they accept Benfica’s terms or they’ll be stuck with a player who only costs them money. João stood his ground and told Bayern that either he goes to Benfica or he wouldn’t go anywhere else. In England, he didn’t see his children as regularly as he wanted and would have liked, but here in Portugal he has that opportunity.”
Interesting, eh? Bayern tried its best to influence the player but in the end, Palhinha used the leverage he had and made sure he got the move he wanted.
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