Fabrizio Romano: Arsenal have an interest in Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha
Arsenal are one of the Premier League clubs interested in signing Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha ahead of the January transfer window, according to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The Portugal international was close to joining Bayern Munich only for a move to fall through on the final day of the summer transfer window.
The Bundesliga giants are still keen on Palhinha as manager Thomas Tuchel is a huge admirer of his qualities.
However, the Telegraph claims Bayern will face competition from multiple Premier League clubs in the battle to sign the 28-year-old ahead of next month.
Romano has now revealed that Arsenal are one of those English clubs, but whether a deal will happen remains to be seen.
“What I can confirm about Palhinha, this was around the media in recent days, is that there are also English clubs interested in Palhinha,” he told Kick.
“One of those clubs is Arsenal. It is true that Arsenal appreciate the player. There are some people at the club who consider Palhinha a very good player. It’s one of the players they discussed internally.
“There are two issues. The first one is the age, he’s not a super young player. I think next year he will be 29. Also, the price. Arsenal cannot spend that amount of money, something like £70-80 million on one more midfielder after spending the big amount of money they invested on Declan Rice.”
Bayern had agreed to part with £55m for Palhinha and he was at Munich for a medical, but the deal fell through as Fulham could not find a suitable replacement in the closing hours of the transfer window.
Arsenal are currently without Thomas Partey and are reportedly keen on strengthening their options in the middle of the park in January.
Palhinha fits the bill given his qualities, with his 57 tackles in the Premier League so far this term at least 15 more than any other player in the division.
He has also weighed in with two goals in 11 league games, but suitors will have to pay top dollar for his services to have a chance of landing him midway through the campaign.
Fulham are struggling this term, and losing such an important player next month would deal a massive blow on their chances of finishing in the top half of the table, so Arsenal may need to offer up to £80m to get their man.
The Gunners really could do with such a player alongside Rice in the middle of the park to boost their chances of winning major silverware this term, but spending heavily in January remains unlikely as they want to avoid any Financial Fair Play problems.
