Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez says he has no doubt that Bayern Munich will be a better team next season if they beat the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona to Joao Palhinha this summer.
Palhinha, 28, appeared on the verge of a move from Fulham to Bayern last August but the deal collapsed in the final few hours of the transfer window and the midfielder remained at Craven Cottage for the 2023/24 campaign.
The Portugal international has made no secret of his desire to push through a switch to Bayern since the initial move broke down and the Bundesliga giants stepped up their pursuit again last month, lodging two separate bids – the highest of which being £38million – for his services.
These offers were swiftly turned down, though, with Fulham demanding a fee of £60m for their prized possession, and Manchester United and Barca are believed to be keeping tabs on the situation.
However, it’s understood Bayern remains Palhinha’s preference and the former Sporting star showed exactly why Europe’s elite are battling it out for his signature with an all-action display in Portugal’s nervy penalty-shootout win over Slovenia to reach the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
Asked whether Palhinha’s impressive performance proved he is good enough for Bayern, Portugal boss Martinez told reporters: ‘I loved the performance of Joao Palhinha, I must admit.
‘I think the performance that he had, it was essential in this type of game. Slovenia had very quick counter-attacks, the speed of [Benjamin] Sesko and [Andraz] Sporar and then the second balls, and he was exceptional.
‘He’s not just good enough for Bayern. He would improve Bayern. I think he is someone that makes the players around him better.’
According to Martinez, Palhinha ‘deserves whatever comes his way’ in the future.
‘He’s in the best moment of his career after winning a lot of things in Portugal. He then goes to the Premier League and he had the perfect performances,’ the Spaniard added.
‘He deserves whatever comes his way but I think the performance today speaks louder than whatever I can say.
‘I can speak about the man which is even bigger than the performance that you saw today.’
Speaking ahead of Portugal’s victory over Slovenia, Palhinha stressed that Fulham and Bayern were both aware of where he wanted to be playing his football next season.
‘As far as my future is concerned, both clubs know where I want to be in a month,’ he told reporters.
Palhinha, who has scored eight goals in 79 appearances for Fulham, is tied into a deal with the west London outfit until 2028.