Bayern miss out on Fulham's Palhinha on deadline day

It was a done deal, and fans with Bayern Munich tickets were waiting for the official announcement from the club's social media channels on deadline day, but it never came. 

Fulham had agreed with Bayern for a fee of around €65 million ($70.5 million) for Palhinha. Still, the transfer was contingent on Fulham signing a suitable replacement before the transfer deadline on Friday night.

Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was reportedly on Fulham's shortlist of targets, but sources say the player rejected a move to Craven Cottage.

The Bundesliga transfer window exacerbated the complexity of the Palhinha transfer closed at 5 p.m. BST (12 p.m. ET), six hours before the English transfer window closed. This situation meant that all aspects of the transfer needed to be completed earlier for Bayern to sign Palhinha.

Despite Palhinha flying to Munich to undergo a medical, the deal was cancelled just before the Bundesliga window closed.

Sources have stated that Fulham rejected an initial offer earlier in the week. Still, Bayern returned with an improved bid considered acceptable, especially since Palhinha was eager to move to the Bundesliga champions.

Palhinha, who scored the equalizer in Fulham's 2-2 draw against Arsenal last weekend, only joined Fulham from Sporting Lisbon last summer in a deal worth approximately £20 million. 

He performed well in the Premier League, scoring three goals in 35 appearances last season.

In addition to Hojbjerg, Fulham had also been monitoring Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana as another possible alternative.

Meanwhile, Fulham is also close to signing Everton winger Alex Iwobi, with the 27-year-old undergoing a medical on Friday morning ahead of a move worth around £20 million.

Fans with Bayern Munich tickets will have to wait until the January transfer window to see if Palhinha makes it in Bayern colours. But a lot could happen in the next few months, and only time will tell if the deal is still open. 

Harry Kane: Gareth Southgate says move to Bayern Munich 'good' for England

According to English national team manager Gareth Southgate, Harry Kane's move from Tottenham to Bayern Munich could benefit the England national team.

Kane, England's all-time leading scorer with 58 goals in 84 appearances, moved to Bayern Munich this summer after much speculation about his future.

Southgate believes that settling his future will benefit Kane and eliminate distractions for players in the England squad.

Southgate also pointed out that Kane's move to a new club will require him to impress new teammates, staff, and fans. Additionally, the experience of adjusting to a new country could be a positive aspect of the transfer.

Kane's transfer fee to Bayern Munich was reported to be around €100 million (£86.4 million) plus add-ons. While at Tottenham, he could not win any significant trophies despite reaching the 2019 Champions League final and losing two League Cup finals.

Southgate acknowledged that Kane might not necessarily become a better player, but the move could help him in terms of mentality and aspects of his game that can be improved upon as he gets older.

The England manager also noted that the Bundesliga is different from other leagues and has a more transitional style of play. He expects Kane to have more opportunities in the penalty box with Bayern Munich compared to his recent seasons at Tottenham.

Kane's move to Bayern Munich ended his long association with Tottenham, where he had been since joining their academy in 2004.

He's already gotten his rhythm, pleasing everyone with Bayern Munich tickets in the opening games. It felt like he never left, a sign that more to come with the UEFA Champions League draw also announced. 

Tuchel wants Kimmich to be "Himself."

The discussion around Joshua Kimmich's specific role at Bayern Munich has been ongoing. Is he a No. 6? Is he a No. 8? But in reality, perhaps it doesn't matter, especially when he delivers performances like the one in Bayern Munich's 2-1 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach.

In that game, Kimmich showcased his versatility and quality. He contributed with two assists, completed an impressive 94 out of 101 passes (93% accuracy), created six key chances for his team, and won three out of five ground duels. When Bayern Munich needed Kimmich to step up and play a pivotal role, he did just that.

Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel's perspective on Kimmich's role is clear – he wants Kimmich to be himself. The fans with Bayern Munich tickets who arrive at the Allianz Stadium also want the same. 

Tuchel recognizes Kimmich's creative potential in their daily training sessions. He appreciates having three midfielders, including Kimmich, who have a knack for scoring goals and being involved in the opposition's box. However, Tuchel suggests that Kimmich might need to temper his attacking instincts occasionally.

The debate over whether Joshua Kimmich is a No. 6 or a No. 8 might seem like a major issue. 

But in reality, it isn't. In the grand scheme of things, it's not. 

The reality comes when Kimmich is consistent and an exceptional performer on the field. He does not need to worry about his stance and position as long as he continues this stride. 

He will remain an indispensable asset for Bayern, no matter what role he plays. 

Ryan Gravenberch leaves

In 2022, Bayern got the biggest applause in the transfer market for a great steal - Ryan Gravenberch. The signing from Ajav for a bare minimum fee of €18.5 million was something every fan with Bayern Munich tickets celebrated. 

He was meant to be the next big star in the Bayern Midfield who would change it around. 

One season later, none of this has come true. 

The reality was far away from the lofty expectations. Gravenberch could not find his rhythm and failed to get regular playing time, which finally led to expressions of discontent with the manager. 

With just one season, his discontent leads him towards Liverpool as he moves on loan. There were suggestions that there were several assurances made to Gravenberch when the transfer got final, but none of it came through, which led to the situation becoming further complicated. 

But Bayern boss Tuchel brought out a pretty considerable visualization of the issue: Gravenberch's inability to secure game time was his playing style. His preferred role was the box-to-box midfield and attacking player, which did not fit Bayern's style. 

Bayern playes 4-2-3-1 system. 

With a wealth of experienced forwards, Gravenberch will get little opportunity. 

Tuchel, however, applauded Gravenberch's dedication and enthusiasm within the team but understood his discontent. He believes that the move to Liverpool will benefit him better as he can now compete for the #8 role in their 4-3-3 system, and it will be the fresh opportunity he was hoping for. 

Gravenberch's journey provides insight into the importance to Bayern Munich fans to manage expectations, especially with young players in the transfer market. 

While most of these players have showcased skill, it entirely depends on adaptability, ability to fit into the team's systems, and playing standards.