Tielemans joined Villa as a free agent from Leicester City in the summer of 2023 and had been an important player for Unai Emery ever since, making the timing of his departure a significant blow for the club just as pre-season gets under way. With Tielemans now set to continue his career at Old Trafford, Villa have moved quickly to identify options in central midfield.
Palhinha, 31, spent last season on loan at Tottenham from Bayern Munich, but that loan spell did not turn into a permanent transfer as many had expected. The Portugal international has since returned to Bayern Munich, though he is expected to move on again before the transfer window closes.
According to the same reports, the Europa League winners have not yet opened talks with the German giants, but Palhinha is understood to be of genuine interest to Villa as they assess their options.
The midfielder made 33 Premier League appearances during his loan spell at Tottenham last season, scoring five goals and providing two assists, numbers that underline his ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch despite being primarily known as a defensive midfielder.
That combination of experience in England and a proven track record in one of Europe's top leagues makes him an appealing option for Villa as they look to replace Tielemans without disrupting the balance of their midfield.
Villa's business this summer has already been shaped significantly by departures, with Tielemans following defender Andres Garcia out of the club, while incoming deals for Joao Gomes and Johan Manzambi have been prioritised to strengthen other parts of the squad.
Any move for Palhinha would represent a further addition to that engine room, giving Emery a more experienced alternative to the younger options already at his disposal, and adding further physical presence to a midfield that will need to cope with a heavier fixture schedule following Villa's return to the Champions League.