14 million up front, 50 million to take him away
Benfica confirmed the signing of Joao Palhinha on Wednesday. The Portugal midfielder arrives from Bayern Munich for 14 million euros, with a further 5 million euros tied to performance. The Lisbon club spelled out the terms in its statement, release clause included: 50 million euros.
Four seasons, through to 2030, on a net salary of 2.5 million euros a year. At 31, Palhinha has signed the sort of deal Benfica reserve for players expected to contribute from week one, not for projects.
The speed of it says something. He landed in Lisbon on Friday, passed his medical on Monday, signed shortly after. Three days from plane to pen.
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Two Premier League clubs, and neither got him
Newcastle and Aston Villa pushed hardest. Bigger budgets, richer offers. Palhinha went the other way.
“As everyone knows, expectations are very high when you represent Benfica. For now, I am just another player, giving my best for the club. I am convinced that the whole structure and all the supporters also want to win trophies,” he told BTV.
Guarded words for a player of his standing. They also hint at what comes with going home, something Palhinha has seen up close before.
What Marco Silva gets
Marco Silva now has a genuine ball-winner in midfield, one hardened by the Premier League and then the Bundesliga, with no bedding-in period required. Benfica wanted a finished article rather than a bet.
Negotiations with Bayern were, in the club’s own word, intense. They landed on a fee the Eagles could stomach. A few weeks ago that looked unlikely.
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