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Aston Villa remain in talks with Bayern Munich over the signing of Joao Palhinha this summer. The Portuguese midfielder is being targeted to cover for Amadou Onana next season following the midfielder's ACL injury during the World Cup. Palhinha spent last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur and, despite their poor campaign, which ended with them avoiding relegation on the final day of the season, the 31-year-old scored important goals against Wolves and in the 1-0 win over Everton that secured their survival. Following Villa's 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in Hong Kong, German newspaper BILD published quotes from Damian Vidagany confirming that Villa remain interested in Palhinha, who came on for the Bundesliga champions in the second half. Unai Emery would welcome Palhinha into his squad to bolster his options and add experience and quality ahead of the Champions League campaign. Roberto De Zerbi, who managed Palhinha during the final months of last season, was impressed by his personality and performances on the pitch during his time at Spurs. Asked if he wanted to keep the former Fulham man after the final-day win against Everton, De Zerbi said: “Yes, I would like to keep him 100%. We have to start from these people, before to speak about the players, we have to speak about the people. “And we have to start. Then, I can't give the place for everyone in the first eleven. Because I want to build two players in each position. But for sure, I would like him to stay with me. Like Conor Gallagher and Bentancur, the same.” A big win in Spurs’ quest to avoid relegation came at Villa Park, where Palhinha took control of the midfield battle before grabbing the Spurs badge on his shirt and celebrating passionately with the travelling fans after the victory. “Yeah, I love Palhinha like this (grabs his shirt and pulls it),” De Zerbi said. “They have not to follow me in this but if I saw one player like passionate, I become crazy. “We have to start from this type of people. More than players, we need reliable people, reliable players. Palhinha is one of the best, as a player for sure, but as a guy. “I want to see the player with the same passion, the same attitude, the same spirit, the same personality, and we are lucky to have with us Palhinha.”