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Liverpool 'join race to sign Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha'

Liverpool 'join race to sign Fulham midfielder Palhinha'
© Reuters
Liverpool reportedly hold an interest in signing Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha during the summer transfer window.

Liverpool are reportedly considering whether to move for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha during the summer transfer window.

Despite impressing for Sporting Lisbon and establishing himself with Portugal, few Premier League sides made a sustained effort to sign Palhinha last summer.

Fulham eventually edged out long-term suitors Wolverhampton Wanderers to secure a deal for the defensive-minded player, the hope being that he would ensure that the club remain away from the relegation zone.

Instead, Palhinha has emerged as one of the signings of the summer, playing a key role in Fulham sitting in eighth spot and contention for European qualification.

In the absence of the 27-year-old over the past two matches, Fulham have looked a shadow of their normal selves, conceding three times in defeats to Brentford and Arsenal.

Leicester City's Youri Tielemans in action with Fulham's Joao Palhinha on January 3, 2022© Reuters

From one perspective, Palhinha's value to Fulham has substantially increased during his absence, and Marco Silva will be desperate to retain the services of his compatriot in the long term.

As far as potential suitors are concerned, however, Palhinha's influence has become clearer, theoretically strengthening the chances of offers being made at the end of the campaign.

According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool are ready to enter the race for Palhinha as they look to conduct a midfield rebuild.

Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are expected to depart on free transfers, while James Milner may also leave Anfield in the same circumstances at the end of his contract.

Jurgen Klopp in charge of Liverpool on December 11, 2022© Reuters

Liverpool have been heavily linked with a number of alternatives, including Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Nunes.

Nevertheless, the need for a new enforcer may be deemed more necessary than a proactive player with the ball, with Palhinha fitting that particular criteria.

Fulham have allegedly placed a price tag on Palhinha in the region of £60m, treble what they paid Sporting last year, while the player still has over four years remaining on his contract at the West Londoners.

While Fulham are said to be determined to retain Palhinha's services for at least another season, much could depend on the size of any bids made and whether they qualify for Europe.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


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