Real Madrid are reportedly eager to secure the services of 26-year-old Portuguese international Joao Palhinha, who has a €60 million release clause.
According to a report by Transfer Market Web, Real Madrid have joined the race to sign Joao Palhinha from Sporting Lisbon. The Portuguese international has a €60 million release clause in his deal with the Verde e Brancos and is also being courted by Paris Saint-Germain.
Joao Palhinha has been with Sporting Lisbon since 2012. Still, it was not until last season that he finally established a foothold in the first-team setup at Estadio Jose Alvalade. Following loan spells with Moreirense FC, Belenenses and SC Braga, the 26-year-old earned his breakthrough with the Portuguese giants.
Now a mainstay in midfield for Sporting, Palhinha has made 72 appearances for the club to date, chipping in with six goals in the process. His progress in the past year has not gone unnoticed, as he has managed to break into the Portuguese national side while capturing the attention of some of the biggest clubs in Europe. And one of his prospective suitors are Real Madrid.
In recent weeks, speculation surrounding the future of Casemiro is mounting, with reports claiming that clubs like Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain are keen on signing him. Even if the Brazilian midfielder stays put at the Santiago Bernabeu, there is a need to sign a player who can take some of the burden off his shoulders.
The 29-year-old has played almost every game for Real Madrid when available in recent seasons, with Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga being used as box-to-box midfielders. The alternative for Los Blancos would be to groom Antonio Blanco as Casemiro’s successor, although Palhinha is also an option worth considering.
However, Real Madrid might have to pay a premium to land the Portuguese international, who has a €60 million release clause in his deal with Sporting Lisbon. And in addition to Real Madrid, PSG are also keen on signing Palhinha as they look to bolster their midfield unit next summer.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have also been touted to enter the transfer market for a creative midfielder next summer, and with that in mind, it remains to be seen if they also sign a defensive midfielder in the form of Palhinha.
