Aston Villa<\/a>‘s midfield rebuild is continuing to take shape. After losing Youri Tielemans to Manchester United and Amadou Onana to an ACL injury in a particularly cruel blow, they instantly turned to Joao Gomes and Johan Manzambi.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The two arrivals represent impressive business from those in the Midlands, having hijacked Newcastle United’s deal for Manzambi before stealing Gomes from rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.<\/p>\n However, even after those arrivals, Unai Emery<\/a> is still looking for more. The Spaniard has now set his sights on Joao Palhinha in an attempt to complete a new-look midfield trio.<\/p>\n The Bayern Munich man was once again one of the best tacklers in the Premier League<\/a> when on loan at Tottenham Hotspur last season and could be set for another return this summer.<\/p>\n Aston Villa’s new-look midfield 26\/27<\/p>\n<\/th>\n Position<\/p>\n<\/th>\n From<\/p>\n<\/th>\n The impact they\u2019ll have<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n Johan Manzambi<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n CM \/ AM<\/p>\n<\/td>\n Freiburg<\/p>\n<\/td>\n Adds creativity, technical quality and attacking intent, while his ability to operate deeper gives Unai Emery another versatile midfield option. He arrives after a breakout season with Freiburg and an impressive 2026 World Cup with Switzerland.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Jo\u00e3o Gomes<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n CM \/ DM<\/p>\n<\/td>\n Wolves<\/p>\n<\/td>\n Brings intensity, ball-winning and relentless pressing to Villa’s midfield. His tackling and ability to recover possession should add the defensive bite Emery needs.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Jo\u00e3o Palhinha**<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n DM<\/p>\n<\/td>\n Bayern Munich<\/p>\n<\/td>\n Provides an experienced defensive shield in front of the defence, with his strength, tackling and positional discipline offering Villa greater protection in midfield. Villa’s interest is confirmed, but the move is not yet completed.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n Under a manager who values winning possession back quickly, Palhinha makes perfect sense. It’s not the prettiest new midfield in the Premier League, but it would be effective.<\/p>\n Gomes and Palhinha would particulatly thrive together, especially when considering that the latter was one of just two players to make more tackles than Gomes in the Premier League last season.<\/p>\n The duo would provide the perfect foundation for a player like Manzambi to thrive. He proved at the World Cup that he can perform on the biggest stage and lead from the front and it doesn’t get much bigger than the Premier League.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As reported by A Bola in Portugal and relayed by Sport Witness, Aston Villa have launched an unmatchable offer to sign Palhinha<\/a>, leaving them in pole position.<\/p>\n The Midlands club have put the transfer out of Benfica’s reach for the time being, offering a much higher loan fee and salary as they look to get their season-long loan deal over the line.<\/p>\n Aston Villa’s Damia Vidagany has already confirmed that the club are in talks to sign Palhinha and he currently looks destined for a return to the Premier League.<\/p>\n “We need a midfielder because Amadou Onana is out for the entire season \u2013 and Jo\u00e3o Palhinha is a very good player who would fit our plans. We are in talks, but there is currently no agreement. If something were to happen, it would always be based on the great respect we have for Bayern.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Aston Villa launch unmatchable Palhinha offer<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n![\"joao-palhinha-tottenham\"](\"https:\/\/static0.footballfancastimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/mixcollage-25-jul-2026-03-50-pm-6843.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2\"\/)
\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Andrew Couldridge<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n