Liverpool might not meet Fulham’s asking price of over £60 million to sign 28-year-old Portuguese international Joao Palhinha.
According to a report by Daily Mail, Joao Palhinha is the subject of interest from Liverpool. The Reds desperately scouring the market for an alternative to Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. But while the 28-year-old Fulham midfielder is a target for Liverpool, they might not shell out £60 million to secure his services.
Joao Palhinha has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League since joining Fulham from Sporting CP last summer. Back in his homeland, the Portuguese international took some time to establish a foothold as a dependable performer. But he has gone from strength to strength in the last few years.
Meanwhile, the 28-year-old has turned out 40 times thus far for Fulham, chipping in with four goals. And Palhinha’s progress has captured the attention of some of the most high-profile clubs in Europe. He has already attracted Barcelona and Manchester United, with West Ham United and Liverpool being the more serious suitors in the final days of the summer transfer window.
Meanwhile, West Ham might have ended the interest in the player after failing with two bids and signing James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez. So the coast might be clear for Liverpool to launch the offensive as they desperately scour the market for an alternative to Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
The Reds have horribly messed up in their bid to make their third midfield signing after making a meal of pursuing Romeo Lavia. Liverpool needlessly launched the offensive for Moises Caicedo, leaving Lavia disillusioned. And while Caicedo has already joined Chelsea, the Southampton midfielder is also on his way to Stamford Bridge.
So the Merseyside club will have to return to the market for a midfield reinforcement. And Joao Palhinha is one of the players on Liverpool’s radar. But Fulham will demand over £60 million to part ways with the 28-year-old Portuguese international. And the price might be beyond Liverpool’s acceptable valuation.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s stunt in the market means selling clubs now know they have a pile of cash to spend on a midfielder. So Fulham will unlikely deviate from the asking price of over £60 million. And it will be interesting to see who the Reds sign to replace Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.