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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
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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