Top News

Aston Villa have formally joined the race to bring Joao Palhinha back to the Premier League as they try to address an increasing injury problem in midfield. The Midlands side are in the market for top-level reinforcements after losing important players, and the Portugal international has been identified as the right option to strengthen Unai Emery's squad.

Damian Viadagany, Aston Villa's transfer chief, has confirmed publicly that the club are in active discussions with Bayern Munich over a move for Palhinha. The former Fulham holding midfielder, who spent last season on loan at Tottenham, has become one of Emery's main targets as Villa aim to stay competitive in both domestic and European competitions.

Speaking to German outlet Bild, Viadagany gave a clear update on the matter, saying: 'We are in talks, but there is currently no agreement. If something should happen, it is always on the basis of the great respect we feel for FC Bayern. We are friendly clubs; our relationship with Max Eberl, Christoph Freund and all other responsible persons is excellent. Therefore, I cannot and do not want to comment on any further details.'

The urgency behind Villa's move for Palhinha comes from a run of damaging setbacks in midfield. The club were hit by the serious news that star midfielder Amadou Onana has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, an injury that is expected to rule him out for most of the campaign.

Villa's midfield issues do not end with Onana's injury, as they also lost influential playmaker Youri Tielemans after his summer transfer to Manchester United. Although the club have brought in Joao Gomes from Wolverhampton and Johan Manzambi from Freiburg, Emery's team still need more additions in the centre of the pitch.

Reports from Sky Germany state that Bayern Munich are not open to another temporary deal for the experienced Portuguese midfielder, who spent the previous season on loan at Tottenham after joining Bayern on a four-year contract worth €51m plus €5m in add-ons. The Bundesliga club would strongly prefer a permanent transfer rather than a loan as they try to recover a large part of their investment. That position could force Aston Villa to put together a sizeable financial package to complete the move.

For Palhinha, a switch to Villa Park would mean a return to a league where he already has established experience. In addition to his loan spell at Tottenham last season, the midfielder enjoyed two productive years at Fulham between 2022 and 2024, leaving him well placed to take on a leadership role in Aston Villa's ambitious project.

Bayern are still asking for €25m for the 31-year-old, a price Villa are not currently prepared to match, while a loan transfer is not being considered. Even so, squad depth is crucial for Aston Villa as they gear up for Champions League football next season after an outstanding campaign in which they finished fourth in the Premier League and won the UEFA Europa League title.