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Liverpool are reported to be considering a transfer move for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha during the upcoming summer transfer window.
After excelling for Sporting Lisbon and establishing himself with Portugal, very few Premier League clubs made a concerted effort to pursue Palhinha during the summer of 2017.
In the end, Fulham prevailed over Wolverhampton Wanderers to secure a deal for the defensive-minded player, with the expectation that he would help the club avoid relegation back to the EFL Championship.
In contrast, Palhinha has emerged as one of the summer’s most significant acquisitions, playing a crucial role in Fulham’s eighth-place standing and European qualification hopes.
In the absence of the 27-year-old throughout the last two matches, Fulham have been a mere shell of themselves, surrendering three goals in defeats against Brentford and Arsenal.
In one sense, Palhinha’s worth to Fulham has increased dramatically during his absence, and Marco Silva will be anxious to retain his services on a long-term basis.
In terms of possible suitors, though, Palhinha’s influence has become more apparent, hence increasing the likelihood that bids will be made at the conclusion of the campaign.
Palhina to Liverpool This Summer?
According to the Daily Mail newspaper, Merseyside giants Liverpool are prepared to compete for the Brazilian midfielder as they seek to rebuild their midfield this summer.
Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are expected to depart the Reds on free transfers, and the aging James Milner could possibly leave Anfield on a similar basis at the conclusion of his contract.
Liverpool have been strongly linked with a variety of midfielders that they could bring in the door this summer, including Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Nunes.
Palhinha, though, meets the critera for a new enforcer rather than a proactive player with the ball.
Palhinha’s rumored price tag is in the area of £60 million, thrice what Fulham paid Sporting last year. However, the midfielder still has almost four years remaining on his West London contract.
European Football Vital for Recruitment
While Fulham are reportedly committed to retaining Palhinha for at least one more season, much will rely on the size of any bids and whether or not they qualify for Europe.
Liverpool are in desperate need of elite recruitments in the next transfer window as they have continuously struggled for consistency this season.
A 7-0 win over arch-rivals Manchester United two Sundays ago was followed up by a dire 1-0 loss away to the relegation threatened Bournemouth on Saturday.
Klopp’s charges are still in the race for the Champions League places and whether they make it to Europe or not could, like Fulham, dictate how much funds they have to bring in replacements this summer.
Liverpool currently sit in sixth place in the English Premier League, two points behind Newcastle above them and six points off Tottenham Hotspur in that vital fourth position.
An end of season run will be needed by the Reds if they are to accumulate the points needed to make Europe and fend off the likes of Fulham and Brighton from overtaking them.
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