Tottenham’s stunning acquisition of Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich has had a direct knock-on effect for one ‘heavily linked’ Manchester United player, according to sensational reports.
Joao Palhinha was subject to Manchester United’s interest this summer and the Tottenham summer signing is all too familiar with Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim.
The 30-year-old midfielder played under the United manager during his loan spell at Braga, with Ruben Amorim in charge at the Primeira Liga club at the time.
Palhinha would link up again with Amorim after the Portuguese coach left his role at Braga and became the head coach of Primeira Liga outfit Sporting CP in 2020.
Fast-forward to the 2025 summer transfer window and United had been linked with Palhinha, but a move for the Portuguese defensive midfielder failed to materialise.
Joao Palhinha’s move from Bayern Munich to Tottenham has caused a potential roadblock for Man Utd
Manchester United’s reluctance to sign Joao Palhinha allowed Premier League side Tottenham to swoop in for the out-of-favour Bayern Munich star last week.
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Tottenham completed their signing of the Portugal international on a season-long loan deal, with an option to make Palhinha’s move permanent to England in 2026.
Bayern’s asking price for a permanent deal is set at £25.9m for midfielder Palhinha, who had only arrived at the Bundesliga champions last summer from Fulham.
According to CF Bayern Insider, Palhinha’s move to Tottenham from Bayern has now thrown a spanner in the works for United-linked midfielder Leon Goretzka.
The outlet claims that Leon Goretzka is now ‘expected to stay at the Allianz Arena’ for the forthcoming Bundesliga campaign with the German champions.
It has been added that United were ‘heavily linked’ with the 30-year-old German midfielder at one time and there ‘were suggestions’ that Bayern could sell Goretzka.
Bayern Munich’s transfer stance on Leon Goretzka after Man Utd-linked Joao Palhinha made his exit to Tottenham
Leon Goretzka is under contract with Bayern Munich until 2026 and there had been rumbling that the German side could cash in on him now ahead of his deal expiring.
CF Bayern Insider said that the Germany midfielder ‘fought back brilliantly’ amid rumours around his exit last season and secured his ‘spot back’ in the starting XI.
The publication reports that the ‘perception’ around Goretzka has now ‘changed’ and there is ‘no way’ that Bayern would sell the midfielder after Palhinha’s departure.
Goretzka has been at the Allianz Arena since 2018 after his exit from German side Schalke and is now a key part of manager Vincent Kompany’s plans at Bayern.