'In talks but no agreement' - Vidagany on Palhinha interest

[Getty Images] Aston Villa are in talks over a move for Bayern Munich and Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha. The 31-year-old became a target for Unai Emery after Amadou Onana suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee while playing for Belgium at the World Cup. Sources close to Palhinha say he is yet to make a decision, but he is open to a move to Villa Park which is regarded as among his best options. Bayern are willing to let him leave two years after signing him for £47.4m from Fulham . He was on loan at Tottenham last season but the club opted against triggering their £26m option to buy. "Joao Palhinha is a very good player who would fit our plans," Aston Villa's director of football Damian Vidagany told German outlet Bild on Friday. "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." The comments come after Villa suffered a 2-1 loss to Bayern in a pre-season friendly, in which Palhinha featured as a substitute, in Hong Kong over the weekend.