From Germany: Reason behind Palhinha’s Fulham renewal revealed – Bayern transfer not completely dead

Joao Palhinha has signed a new contract at Fulham to ensure his financial future in case Bayern Munich don’t come calling again.

That’s according to Sky Germany, who cover the surprise contract announcement from Fulham yesterday and provide their own information on the matter.

Palhinha had been on the verge of joining Bayern at the end of the transfer window, travelling to Bavaria to undergo medical tests and even various media duties.

The deal did not end up going through, though, as Fulham refused to sanction the deal late on after failing to secure a replacement for the Portuguese star on deadline day of the summer transfer window.

The belief had been that they would return in the January transfer window, but Fulam threw that into doubt when they announced the midfielder had signed a new contract at Craven Cottage.

Sky report that new contract ‘primarily includes a significant salary increase’ and that is a key background detail to consider.

According to their information, Palhinha has agreed to the extension because of that as he ‘wants to secure himself’ with a new deal because nobody can assure him that a move to Bayern will happen.

He ‘remains open’ to the idea of a move in January and Bayern have hinted they’ll make a move, with CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen recently telling Sky “Let’s see. You usually see each other twice in your life” when asked on the matter.

That was seen as a hint they remain keen on the Fulham man, but it appears he remains dubious and has looked to cover himself in case that doesn’t happen.