Aston Villa resume talks with Bayern Munich over midfield star

Villa are back in talks with Bayern Munich over a move for midfielder Joao Palhinha.

The Portugal international has been high on Unai Emery’s list of targets since Youri Tielemans’ departure last month but the clubs have so far been unable to agree on the structure of a deal.

While Villa would prefer to sign the 31-year-old on a season-long loan, Bayern have wanted an obligation to buy included in any agreement.

Newcastle have also registered their interest in Palhinha, though it is believed the player has prioritised a move to Villa Park.

Palhinha joined Bayern from Fulham for £42.3m two years ago and spent last season back in the Premier League, on loan at Tottenham.

Central midfield has become a priority area for Villa following Tielemans’ departure and the long-term knee injury suffered by Amadou Onana.

The club moved quickly to sign Joao Gomes from Wolves for £35m, though the Brazilian will himself miss the opening weeks of the season with a calf injury.

Emery would also like to sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka from West Ham to bolster his options at right-back. Kosta Nedeljkovic is on course to complete a loan move to Rangers which includes a £4m conditional obligation to buy.

Villa are already close to completing deals for Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and Atletico Madrid left-back Matteo Ruggeri in deals almost worth a combined £50m.