Sporting presented an official proposal of 8 million euros fixed plus 4 million in variables to Bayern Munich to sign João Palhinha during the last transfer window. However, the German club refused to meet with the lions on two occasions due to an option clause maintained by Tottenham over the player.
Faced with the impasse in negotiations and Bayern's indecision, the lion's board decided to abandon the race for the Portuguese defensive midfielder in June. Sporting then definitively moved on to sign Sergi Altimira, a Spanish midfielder.
The choice for Altimira was communicated to Palhinha himself on June 27, confirming that Sporting's plans for the player had been definitively abandoned. With Sporting's withdrawal and Tottenham's denial through their option clause, the opportunity arose for Benfica.
Benfica took advantage of the opening left by the situation and entered strongly in the dispute for the player, managing to complete the signing of the Portuguese international for the Glorioso, in a negotiation that involved Bayern Munich as the main intermediary.
