Newly-promoted Premier League side Fulham have reportedly reached an agreement with Sporting CP for the signing of defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha.
According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Fulham have reached an agreement with Sporting CP for the summer transfer of Portuguese midfielder Joao Palhinha. The two clubs have agreed on a fee of around €18 million plus add-ons for the 26-year-old, who is also being courted by Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Palhinha is said to be inclined towards a Premier League move, with two clubs from the English top flight showing serious interest. Both the clubs have reportedly made their offers to the player, who is now left with an important decision to make, which as per Romano, he will make ‘soon’.
Wolves were the first club to show interest in Palhinha, with reports claiming they had agreed to a €20 million deal for the combative midfielder before Fulham swooped in. However, they are yet to offload Ruben Neves, who has been linked with Barcelona and Manchester United, and it has affected their move for the Sporting midfielder.
The delay in getting the deal through saw Fulham make a backdoor entry. The Cottagers were quick to approach Sporting and reach a full agreement over the transfer fees. Fulham are now in discussion with the player, who is also ‘tempted by the Wolves proposal’. An update on the transfer saga can be expected shortly.
Fulham have reached an agreement with Sporting for João Palhinha, fee around €18m plus add ons. It’s up to the player now, also tempted by Wolves proposal. ⚪️⚫️ #FulhamFC
Palhinha will make a decision soon.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 16, 2022
The Cottagers have started making moves in the transfer market as they return to the Premier League after finishing atop the Championship table last season. Midfield is one of the positions Fulham wish to strengthen, and Palhinha has emerged as a potential option.
He could just be the type of midfielder Fulham are on the lookout for. The Portuguese midfielder can be used to disrupt the opposition’s flow because the Cottagers will enter the majority of matches in the upcoming Premier League season as the underdogs. They may have to fend off interest from Tottenham as well, who were once plotting a bid for the midfielder.
Palhinha started six matches for Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League this past season as they qualified for the Round of 16, where they lost to Manchester City. Moreover, he has been capped 14 times by the Portuguese national team, for whom he has scored two goals.