Joao Palhinha could soon be back on the radar of Premier League clubs, with Liverpool reportedly considering rekindling their interest in the midfielder. This potential move comes after the 29-year-old Portuguese international has faced challenges securing a regular starting spot at Bayern Munich, his current club.
Palhinha initially attracted attention from Liverpool during his time at Fulham, with the Reds heavily linked with him before he opted for a transfer to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023. However, since his arrival in Germany, he has struggled to secure consistent game time in the Bayern starting XI, which has raised doubts about his future at the club.
Reports suggest that Palhinha’s representatives are now exploring the possibility of a move back to England, and Liverpool is among the clubs being considered as a potential destination. Bayern Munich is reportedly open to the idea of letting Palhinha go, especially as the club looks to prioritize renewing Leon Goretzka’s contract, making it more likely that Palhinha will be allowed to leave this summer.
A return to the Premier League is reportedly high on Palhinha’s agenda, and Liverpool could provide an ideal environment for him, much like they did when signing Thiago Alcantara from Bayern in 2020. Despite having limited game time at Bayern, Palhinha’s individual performances have still been impressive. Statistics from FBref place him among the top midfielders in several key areas, such as being in the top 2% for tackles, top 10% for blocks, top 9% for aerial duels, and top 8% for pass completion across Europe’s top five leagues.
However, there are still questions about whether Palhinha would be able to secure a regular starting role at Liverpool. The Reds already have established midfielders, including Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, and Palhinha might be seen more as a squad player or a depth option rather than a guaranteed starter. This uncertainty could play a role in both Palhinha’s willingness to make the move and Liverpool’s approach to a potential transfer, particularly given that Palhinha will turn 30 in July and has experienced some recent fitness concerns.
Ultimately, whether the transfer happens will likely depend on Bayern Munich’s asking price for Palhinha and the midfielder’s own readiness to accept a rotational role in Liverpool’s evolving midfield setup under Jürgen Klopp.
