Arsenal do not scare Bayern Munich in the race to sign Joao Palhinha from Fulham in the January transfer window, but Liverpool have set alarms off at the German giants.
The 28-year-old is set to be at the heart of a tug-of-war among Europe’s elite next month as clubs bid to plug gaps in their engine rooms. Palhinha has attracted admirers throughout the continent with his form at Craven Cottage, even after Fulham extended his contract to 2028.
Fulham locked the Portuguese down with a new deal in September after fending off interest in his signature. But Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Liverpool are all due to target a transfer for Palhinha in January. It would remove a vital cog from Marco Silva’s midfield in west London.
Arsenal are interested in Joao Palhinha’s transfer from Fulham
Reports by Football Transfers earlier this week claimed that Arsenal have added Palhinha to their shortlist of midfield targets. Mikel Arteta is determined to improve his engine room in the winter sales. But Aston Villa have priced the Gunners out of his top target, Douglas Luiz.
The Villans value the 25-year-old at £110m – more than double the £50m Fulham feel they can demand for Palhinha. It is because of their substantially cheaper price tag that Arsenal have turned their attention to the Portugal ace. But Arteta might have to convince Palhinha.
Bayern Munich went close to signing Palhinha this summer and the 23-cap star set his heart on the move. So, the Fulham anchor remains keen to sign for the six-time Champion League winners in 2024. But the allure of a Premier League title fight may entice him to join Arsenal.
Bayern Munich fear Liverpool in the race to sign Joao Palhinha
It is Liverpool rather than Arsenal who Christian Falk now reports worry Bayern Munich over Palhinha’s transfer from Fulham, though. The Reds are making it increasingly difficult for Der FCB to revive their interest. They do not have the budget to rival any pursuit from Liverpool.
Liverpool showing concrete interest in a raid on Craven Cottage has set alarm bells ringing at the Allianz Arena. The record Bundesliga champions sense they might have to abandon their pursuit of a player who has blown Clinton Morrison away in west London so far this season.
“He’s an outstanding player,” Morrison stated on Sky Sports News (16/12, 14:22). “It was big money that Bayern Munich wanted him [for] and they thought the deal was done. But it was good news [for Fulham] that they managed to keep him. I think he’s a top player.”
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