João Palhinha arrives in Lisbon as Benfica close €19m Bayern deal

João Palhinha has arrived in Lisbon ahead of his expected move to Benfica, with the Portuguese club closing in on an agreement with Bayern Munich worth up to €19million.

The 31-year-old landed at Humberto Delgado Airport on Saturday afternoon as one of Benfica's biggest transfer pursuits of the summer moves towards its conclusion.

According to A Bola, Benfica will pay around €14m upfront, with another €5m potentially due through performance-related bonuses.

Despite arriving in Lisbon, Palhinha was careful not to get ahead of the transfer.

The Portugal international stressed that he remains contracted to Bayern and is currently using two days off to spend time with his children.

“I'm not going to speak now. I'm still a Bayern player,” Palhinha said.

He explained that he will return to Munich on Sunday and asked reporters not to push him into discussing Benfica before the transfer is formally completed.

However, his return to Portuguese football now appears increasingly close.

A move to Benfica would reunite Palhinha with Marco Silva, who previously managed him for two seasons at Fulham.

Their relationship has reportedly been an important factor throughout negotiations.

Silva identified Palhinha as his preferred option to strengthen the No.6 position, and the midfielder's experience could make him an immediate key figure in Benfica's midfield.

Palhinha came through Sporting's academy before establishing himself in their first team and later moving to the Premier League with Fulham.

He subsequently joined Bayern and most recently spent time with Tottenham.

Now, four years after leaving Portugal, he is preparing to return to Lisbon – this time to play for Sporting's rivals.

Benfica's pursuit has developed into one of the longer transfer stories of the summer.

Aston Villa and Newcastle were also mentioned during the process, but the Portuguese giants now appear to have won the race.

The opportunity to return home and work with Silva again has helped Benfica move into pole position.

There are still formalities to complete, and Palhinha himself is refusing to speak as though the transfer is finished until everything is signed.

Nevertheless, an agreement worth up to €19m is now expected to take the midfielder to the Estádio da Luz.

Palhinha is expected to return briefly to Munich before the remaining formalities are completed. Once everything is signed, the 31-year-old will begin a new chapter in Portugal as a Benfica player.

How important could João Palhinha become in Marco Silva's Benfica midfield?