Joao Palhinha has left Fulham to join Bayern Munich on a permanent transfer.
Bayern will pay Fulham £47.16 million (€56m) plus add-ons for the 29-year-old, according to Sky in Germany, which would make the deal the most expensive in the Premier League club’s history.
Palhinha has signed a four-year contract at Bayern, keeping him at the club until 2028.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The best of Joao Palhinha’s career at Fulham in the Premier League
Fulham owner Tony Khan said: “We have today reached an agreement which could result in the most significant transfer deal in the club’s history, with these resources arriving at a vital time in our summer squad planning for the coming season and our long-term future.”
Palhinha’s transfer fee will exceed that of Aleksandar Mitrovic to Saudi club Al Hilal last summer.
The Portuguese midfielder came close to joining Bayern last summer, but the move fell through on deadline day.
Bayern sporting director Max Eberl said: “Joao Palhinha was already highly regarded at FC Bayern last summer – and rightly so! It was important that we never lost touch.
“Joao really wanted to come to FC Bayern and we need players like him. He is an important part of our future.
“He once again demonstrated his skills on a big stage at the European Championship and brings with him a lot of experience, having already played in a European Championship and a World Cup and around 300 competitive matches in the Portuguese and English leagues. He will give us even more stability in the centre.”
When does the summer transfer window open and close?
THE Summer transfer window 2024 in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is officially open.
The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and 11.30pm in Scotland.
The Premier League and Scottish Premiership have brought forward the deadline to link up with other major European leagues. The deadlines were set following discussions with leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
