Bayern Munich sporting director Christoph Freund has confirmed that two players are not part of the club’s plans for the upcoming season. Freund stated that the club is actively working to find new teams for João Palhinha and Sacha Boey during the summer transfer window.
Speaking on Saturday, Freund clarified the situation for both players. He noted that while they are currently training with the team, they are aware they will not play a significant role. Freund described them as “good players” who will continue training, but the intention is for them to move elsewhere for their next career step.
Freund also addressed the possibility of loan exits for either player. He indicated that while a loan is not the club’s preferred option, it cannot be entirely ruled out in the current transfer market. He expressed confidence that both players have a “good market,” highlighting Palhinha’s past role in Tottenham‘s Premier League standing and Boey’s strong performances in Turkey. Freund believes both are capable of contributing to many teams.
Transfer Strategy and Player Interest
The club’s priority this summer is to sell players, a stance reportedly driven by honorary president Uli Hoeness. Bayern Munich is looking for permanent deals, aiming to avoid loan arrangements whenever possible. This applies primarily to Palhinha, Bryan Zaragoza, and Boey. Additionally, Armindo Sieb could also be on his way out.
Reports also suggest that Bayern Munich would consider exceptional offers for Hiroki Ito and Alphonso Davies. The overall plan is to bring in at most one new player before the transfer window closes, unless unexpected circumstances arise. A new right-back is not considered a priority at this time, despite some recent reports suggesting otherwise.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Palhinha is reportedly in good spirits at Bayern Munich‘s preseason training, which commenced on July 20th at Säbener Straße. He has been observed engaging positively with fans after training sessions, signing autographs and taking pictures.
Several clubs have shown interest in Palhinha. Sporting Lisbon had previously expressed interest in bringing him back, while Benfica has recently made inquiries. Benfica is reportedly interested in a loan deal for the midfielder, as they may not be able to afford his annual wages. However, it remains unclear if Bayern Munich would agree to such terms.
Aston Villa has also emerged as a potential destination for Palhinha, though no concrete developments have occurred yet. Similar to Benfica, Aston Villa would prefer a loan deal with an option to buy, but Bayern Munich‘s willingness to accept these terms and the player’s own preference are factors. Palhinha has reportedly declined lucrative offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League and Turkey’s Super Lig, as he is looking for a move closer to Portugal to be near his children. However, Benfica and Sporting are currently unable to meet his transfer fee.
For Boey, several unnamed mid-table Premier League clubs have registered interest. Bayern Munich is reportedly seeking a transfer fee of €15 million for him. Meanwhile, Zaragoza is said to be interested in returning to Spain, with RCD Espanyol and Sevilla monitoring his situation. Serious discussions have not yet taken place, partly due to his salary in Munich, which is around €4 million per year.
The efforts to offload players are part of a broader strategy by Bayern Munich‘s front office, led by board member for sport Max Eberl and sporting director Christoph Freund, to balance the club’s wage bill. The club has already signed Nathaniel Brown from Eintracht Frankfurt and Ismael Saibari from PSV Eindhoven, and is also preparing to offer contract extensions to Harry Kane and Michael Olise.
The situation for Palhinha, Boey, and Zaragoza highlights Bayern Munich‘s ongoing efforts to reshape their squad and manage their finances ahead of the new season.
The club’s focus remains on securing permanent transfers for these players as the summer window progresses.
Source: goal.com
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