Fulham and Wolves are locked in a two-way battle for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha as the Cottagers agree a £15m deal for Bruno Lage’s preferred Ruben Neves replacement
- Fulham agree the fee with Sporting Lisbon as they look to bolster their squad
- Will be looking to avoid a third straight promotion back to the Championship
- Wolves also interested and have strong connections in Portuguese market
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Fulham have agreed a £15million fee for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha, 26, who is also a target for Wolves.
The Cottagers, managed by Palhinha’s fellow countryman Marco Silva, will be looking to avoid a third-straight relegation back to the Championship this season.
The signing of Palhinha plugs a gap in an obvious area of weakness for Fulham in central midfield, with the club having struggled there in particular on their last stay in the Premier League.
Joao Palhinha is believed to be a major target for both newly promoted Fulham and Wolves
It was also reported, however, that Wolves remain interested in the player and it is up to Palhinha to decide his future.
One report suggested that both ‘proposals’ interest the Portugal international.
It has been suggested that Palhinha remains Wolves’ number one target this summer, with Ruben Neves rumoured to be departing the club.
However, it is unclear whether or not the West Midlands club are in a position where they will need to sell Neves before they bring in another player in that area.
The Sporting Lisbon midfielder impressed for them across a stellar campaign in Portugal
Palhinha enjoyed a successful season with Sporting Lisbon, making 27 appearances in the league and scoring three goals.
Meanwhile, Fulham look to be busy elsewhere in the market with a number of players mooted for a move to west London.
Bernd Leno, Neco Williams and Takumi Minamino are all targets, it has been reported, Fulham are also believed to be close to signing Manor Solomon from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Adama Traore’s presumed move to Barcelona doesn’t appear to have materialised this summer
At Wolves, it appears outgoings are currently more likely than incomings.
Adama Traore, who it had looked like would move to Barcelona permanently after his January loan move, is now uncertain of his future after that move has not transpired.
It is unclear whether or not the club’s dire present financial state is blocking them from making a move for their former youth player.
More Stories
Furious Lions star Dayne Zorko claims AFL has legalised attacks on players’ genitals after rival who left him with ‘bruised’ groin got off with just a fine
Manchester United 2-3 Borussia Dortmund: Errors in defence lead Ten Hag’s men to defeat in Las Vegas
LeBron James ‘kept telling diners how grateful he was’ to be at dinner with son Bronny, 18, just four days after his cardiac arrest in basketball practice