Manchester City are reportedly showing interest in Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha, after turning their attention away from Lucas Paqueta.
Just last month, it was reported that City did still want to make an attempt to sign Paqueta from West Ham United.
But that attempt was apparently dependent on the player clearing the suspicious betting activities against him.
Now, the Daily Star are claiming that City could make a £50 million swoop for Joao Palhinha in January, with the Portugal international having really impressed at Craven Cottage…
Manchester City interested in Fulham star Joao Palhinha
According to the publication, the 28-year-old is now considered the best option available.
It is expected that City will bid farewell to Kalvin Phillips in January, with the likes of Juventus and Newcastle United keen.
Pep Guardiola is said to be keen to secure a ‘superior’ replacement.
Palhinha has racked up 55 appearances for Fulham so far across all competitions since leaving Sporting CP in the summer of 2021.
He has scored six goals for the Cottagers, but he is mainly known for his defensive work, with Sky Sports saying of him back in March in a feature: “(He is) A master of anticipation, extending his long legs at precisely the right moment to dispossess unsuspecting opponents.”
Interestingly, according to FBref data, Palhinha has a higher percentage of dribbles tackled than Rodri in the Premier League so far this season (66% vs 60%). Amazingly, he has actually made more than double the number of tackles Rodri has (76 to 32).
Palhinha would be a great signing, but it’s not happening
It would be brilliant to see City land Palhinha in January because he has established himself as one of the top holding midfielders in the Premier League.
But realistically, it just isn’t happening.
Fulham are not going to want to lose one of their best players in the middle of the season. Sanctioning Palhinha’s exit could genuinely mean they become tangled in a relegation battle, as opposed to pushing for the European spots.
It’s likely that the £80,000-a-week star will also be wary about coming to City and potentially playing second fiddle to Rodri. At Fulham he’s the main man, so he’s surely keen to stay in that role a little while longer yet.
