There could be a Marco Silva lining for West Ham United’s hopes of signing unparalleled star Joao Palhinha ahead of an ‘imminent’ second bid.
West Ham and Fulham are the only clubs in the Premier League yet to sign a new player for the first team this summer transfer window.
But that could be about to change for West Ham with the Hammers one of several vultures circling around Craven Cottage right now.
We reported on Hammers News last weekend that trouble brewing at Fulham was potentially great news for West Ham’s hopes of signing Portugal star Joao Palhinha.
And the situation appears to be playing out in West Ham’s favour better than even we imagined in that original report.
The Cottagers’ striker Aleksandar Mitrovic – a one-time Hammers target of course – has allegedly vowed never to play for the west London club again as he pushes to jump on the Saudi Arabia gravy train.
Marco Silva lining for West Ham hopes of signing unparalleled star Joao Palhinha ahead of ‘imminent’ second bid
Last week we highlighted that manager Marco Silva – another reported one-time West Ham target – is refusing to sign a new contract after being disappointed by Fulham’s lack of transfer activity.
West Ham have seen a £45m bid for Silva’s fellow countryman Palhinha rejected.
And talkSPORT have this afternoon claimed the Hammers are about to go back with another offer for the player they want to replace Declan Rice.
Well there could be a Silva lining for West Ham’s hopes of signing unparalleled star Palhinha ahead of an ‘imminent’ second bid.
Because Sky Sports are reporting the breaking news that Palhinha’s boss and compatriot Silva is seriously considering a lucrative offer to manage Al-Ahli in Saudi.
Sky Sports report breaking news that could play right into West Ham’s hands over prime target
Speaking on Sky Sports News at 4.01pm, Kaveh Solhekol said the Saudi club have offered Silva £40m over two years – a wage of £400,000 per week tax free.
“They want a quick answer because the Saudi Pro League starts in a couple of weeks’ time,” Solhekol said.
“Marco Silva’s agents are in London for talks about this potential deal and we’re being told that the offer is being presented by Saudi Arabia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund because they effectively own and control Al-Ahli.
“We’ve been told that Silva has a £6m release clause in his contract and he’s got one year left. I’ve asked the question whether Al-Ahli are prepared to pay the release clause and the response I got was ‘That won’t be a problem’.”
Silva is THE reason Palhinha joined Fulham
Al-Ahli have already added the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Edouard Mendy to their squad and are in for Allan Saint-Maximin too.
Should Silva leave Fulham it would surely be great news for West Ham’s hopes of landing Palhinha.
In terms of defensive midfielders, it is easy to see why West Ham and David Moyes want him. The Portuguese star was unparalleled last season.
Silva was THE reason Fulham were able to bring Palhinha to the club in the first place.
Should the manager depart then Palhinha, who has privately made it clear he is interested in joining West Ham, may well start to push hard to join the Hammers.
READ ALSO
BBC journalist’s exciting claim about new talks between Man City and West Ham over deal.
Midfield ‘monster’ red herring for West Ham as conflicting claims made over imminent deal.
Report: ‘Ruthless’ Moyes wants West Ham trio out in overhaul built around star.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
