The agreement between Bayern and Benfica, signed by Palhinha, is structured around an initial €14 million payment, with five more to be paid through potential bonuses. Palhinha has signed a four-year contract, while the Portuguese club confirmed that the midfielder’s deal includes a €50 million release clause.
“The 31-year-old Portugal international is returning to his home city of Lisbon, where he began his professional career at Sporting,” said Bayern in a statement.
As the transfer was finalized the day before the return leg, he could not be registered on Benfica's official squad list for this round of the UEFA tournament.
Bayern signed the Portuguese international from Fulham in the summer of 2024 for approximately €50 million. The midfielder was allegedly eager to return to his homeland—partly to be closer to his family—despite having received more lucrative offers elsewhere.
No doubt the presence of Marco Silva, with whom Palhinha had previously worked at Fulham between 2022 and 2024, played a decisive role in Palhinha pushing for the Benfica move.