A reporter claims the agents of unrivalled Declan Rice replacement Joao Palhinha are in London for West Ham talks ahead of a potential £50m deal.
Earlier this week Italian transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano reaffirmed West Ham’s interest in signing Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha as a replacement for Declan Rice.
With Manuel Lanzini being released and the impending sale of talisman Rice, boss David Moyes faces a rebuild of sorts in the West Ham midfield.
It was reported last week that ‘work was going on behind the scenes’ after West Ham identified Fulham and Portugal defensive midfielder Palhinha as their prime target to replace the skipper.
Reporter: Agents of unrivalled Declan Rice replacement Joao Palhinha in London for West Ham talks ahead of potential £50m deal
Fulham were initially reported to want as much as £50m for Palhinha, who was statistically the best defensive midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues last season bar none.
But yesterday The Daily Mail claimed Fulham had moved the goalposts and were, rather ludicrously, demanding £90m for the central midfield destroyer.
There has been a major development today, though, according to former West Ham journalist Jack Rosser.
The reporter claims agents of unrivalled Rice replacement Palhinha are in London for West Ham talks ahead of a potential £50m deal with Fulham.
‘West Ham have had encouragement a deal can be done for £50m’
Rosser, formerly The Evening Standard’s Hammers reporter and now with The Sun, claims Palhinha’s representatives have flown to London ahead of talks over a move to West Ham.
“West Ham holding further talks over a move for Fulham’s Joao Palhinha this week,” Rosser said.
“Palhinha’s representatives in London for discussions and West Ham have had encouragement they could get a deal done at £50million.”
Palhinha would be an excellent signing for the Hammers as a defensive midfielder.
As the stats show, there was nobody better than him in that regard last season – including Rice.
His arrival would free up the likes of Lucas Paqueta, Tomas Soucek and any other new arrivals to do damage going forward.
Talk of a £90m valuation were surely the Cottagers making a point given West Ham’s valuation of Rice.
But the Hammers skipper is younger and a more all-round hybrid talent than Palhinha hence his bigger price tag.
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