West Ham United made an offer of around £45 million ($58.8 million) to Fulham for midfielder Joao Palhinha, which Fulham rejected. After losing club captain Declan Rice to Arsenal in a £105 million deal, West Ham is looking to bolster their midfield, but they are not optimistic after seeing their initial offer for Palhinha rejected.
While Palhinha, 28, was one of Marco Silva’s standout players in the previous campaign, Fulham is eager to keep him for the upcoming season. Given that he has four years left on a five-year contract he signed last summer, the west London are also in a strong negotiating position. For Fulham in 2022–23, Palhinha missed just three Premier League games—all because of suspension—and contributed to Silva’s team’s 10th-place finish.
He joined from Sporting Lisbon for an estimated fee of €20 million (£17.4 million; $21.6 million). Wolves had previously expressed interest at the time, but Fulham ultimately received free reign to pursue the Portugal international. Last season, Palhinha played in 40 games across all competitions and scored four goals.
In the event that he leaves Fulham, Palhinha might join Sean Moore from Cliftonville as West Ham’s second summer addition. Moyes wants competition for Kurt Zouma, who has a spotty fitness history, and Nayef Aguerd. Angelo Ogbonna received a new contract from West Ham, but the Italian is 35 and Thilo Kehrer’s future is uncertain.
Will Be Successfull At Replacing Declan Rice?
After selling Rice, West Ham is under pressure to make a purchase, but they have been slow to act. Although it has been suggested that £50m might be sufficient, Fulham is asking £80m for Palhinha, and West Ham is not optimistic about their chances of signing the Portugal international, who thrived after joining Fulham from Sporting last summer.
Another choice for West Ham is Edson Alvarez, but there are issues with the costs of signing the Mexico international. Last month, he came very close to signing with Borussia Dortmund, but the deal fell through during negotiations. Lvarez, who almost joined Chelsea last summer, is wanted by Ajax for £45 million.
While Aleksandar Mitrovic wants to accept an offer to join Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia in spite of two bids being rejected, Willian has been enticed back by an improved contract offer and is expected to re-sign on Monday. This is despite journeying for a medical with Nottingham Forest last week. After their initial offer for Callum Hudson-Odoi was rejected, Fulham is also making another effort.
In preparation for signing a two-year deal with Maritimo, West Ham striker Mipo Odubeko is in Portugal. After leaving the Manchester United academy, the 20-year-old Republic of Ireland Under-21 international signed with the Hammers. However, he has struggled to break into the first team and has lived time on loan at Port Vale and Doncaster Rovers.
