Aston Villa have missed out on midfield target João Palhinha, with the 31-year-old Portuguese international heading to Benfica from Bayern Munich. Multiple reports confirm the deal is worth €15 million up front, with a further €5 million available in add-ons. Villa had been targeting Palhinha on loan without an obligation to buy, but Benfica were willing to sign him on a permanent basis.
Villa's interest in Palhinha confirmed
Villa were seeking a replacement for Amadou Onana, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the World Cup and is ruled out for the entire season. Damian Vidagany, a Villa official, publicly confirmed the club's interest in Palhinha. Speaking to German outlet Bild, Vidagany said: “We need a midfielder because Amadou Onana is out for the entire season – and João Palhinha is a very good player who would fit our plans.”
Vidagany added: “We are in talks, but there is currently no agreement. If something were to happen, it would always be based on the great respect we have for Bayern. We are friendly clubs, and our relationship with Max Eberl, Christoph Freund, and all the other officials is excellent. Therefore, I cannot and do not wish to comment on any further details.”
Villa's project and Emery's influence
Vidagany also highlighted Villa's appeal as a destination, stating: “I believe Aston Villa would be a great club for the player. In the league, six or seven clubs have a bigger budget than us. Nevertheless, we’ve qualified for international competitions every year for the past four years. That’s down to our project, our work as a team, and the tactical influence of Unai Emery, who in my eyes is one of the best coaches in the world.”
With Palhinha now off the table, Villa will need to reassess their options in the transfer market to find a suitable replacement for Onana, who is out for the remainder of the season. The club's search for a midfielder continues as they look to maintain their competitive edge under Unai Emery.
