Man United could look to sign £90m star in January but Euro giants may scupper deal
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano suggests that Manchester United could consider pursuing Joao Palhinha, a standout player at Fulham, during the January transfer window.
During the summer transfer window, Manchester United prioritized strengthening their midfield and secured the acquisitions of Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat. While recent reports indicate that Palhinha was initially considered their top target, they ended up signing Amrabat on a loan deal due to Fulham’s high valuation of the Portuguese midfielder.
However, according to Romano’s article on Caught Offside, Manchester United’s interest in Palhinha may still be alive, and they could take formal steps to sign him in January. Romano notes that acquiring Palhinha won’t be straightforward because Bayern Munich is also keen on signing him during the winter transfer window.
Romano states:
“I am aware that Palhinha may have interest from Manchester United when the transfer window reopens in January. Bayern will probably make another run at Palhinha.
The Portuguese player was on the verge of signing with the Bavarian club on deadline day this summer, having already completed the medical. However, time ran out, and Bayern Munich was unable to secure his signature before the window closed. Palhinha has since returned to Fulham, where he will play at least until January.
Having showcased his skills in the Premier League last season following his move to Fulham in the summer, the 28-year-old would be a significant addition for Manchester United.
However, Palhinha is currently under contract for another four years. Consequently, Marco Silva’s team is in a strong position to demand a high transfer fee if they are forced to sell him in January, with reports suggesting they could seek around £90 million.
Therefore, Manchester United would need to make a substantial financial commitment to secure his services. However, it’s worth noting that the club may face financial constraints due to Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, having already spent over £150 million during the summer transfer window.
As a result, the likelihood of Manchester United being able to lure the Portugal international to Old Trafford in the upcoming transfer window appears to be relatively low. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see if Ten Hag’s team officially expresses their interest in signing him as they seek to bolster their midfield.”