Manchester United signed 20-year-old striker from top European club for a club-record fee of £98million as the superstar joined on five-years deal.
Manchester United are currently monitoring the situation surrounding Bayern Munich’s João Palhinha, as they weigh up the possibility of bringing him in on a loan deal. This move has gained traction after the club acknowledged that a transfer for Atalanta’s Ederson is financially unfeasible due to his steep price tag, sources from GIVEMESPORT have revealed.
United have already made a significant financial commitment this summer by signing Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5 million. That acquisition, however, has tightened the budget available to manager Ruben Amorim, who is still eager to strengthen his midfield. With limited funds at his disposal, Amorim is reportedly open to selling players like Alejandro Garnacho to raise additional transfer capital. Still, his focus has now turned to more cost-effective options as the new season opener against Arsenal on August 17 approaches.
João Palhinha has emerged as a strong candidate. Although he only joined Bayern Munich from Fulham last July for around £48 million, he’s yet to secure a consistent starting spot. United are aware of this and see a potential opportunity to swoop in for the 29-year-old. Their interest in Palhinha actually dates back to his Premier League days with Fulham, where he impressed with his physical presence and defensive discipline.
Sources close to the situation confirm that Manchester United have made internal inquiries and are prepared to pursue a loan if Bayern decides that’s a viable route. Although the German club initially leaned toward a permanent transfer, they are now reportedly open to the idea of a temporary exit to help the player regain form, especially as he remains on the fringes under new manager Vincent Kompany.
Palhinha’s current contract runs until 2028 and includes performance bonuses that bring his weekly wage close to £200,000, which could complicate any potential deal. However, a loan move with Bayern subsidizing a portion of his wages could be beneficial for all parties—United would gain experienced midfield depth without a major financial outlay, Bayern would give Palhinha valuable minutes, and the player would get a fresh start in familiar territory.
Meanwhile, Atalanta’s Ederson is effectively off the table. The Italian club’s demands, reportedly north of £50 million, are too high for United given their current spending priorities. As a result, attention has fully shifted to more budget-friendly targets like Palhinha.
If the deal progresses, Palhinha would be expected to provide competition for the likes of Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, and potentially new arrivals like Manuel Ugarte. His physicality and positional awareness could make him a perfect fit for Amorim’s system, should the Portuguese manager take charge at Old Trafford as anticipated.
At this stage, everything hinges on Bayern Munich’s stance. Should they agree to a loan and wage-sharing arrangement, United are poised to make a formal approach. For now, the Red Devils are watching closely and could move decisively in the coming weeks.
