With the January transfer window just around the corner, Fulham’s Joao Palhinha has emerged as a potential target for Premier League leaders Arsenal. As per Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners are among the clubs interested in signing the Portuguese midfielder who has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich.
Arsenal Showing Interest in Fulham’s Joao Palhinha
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Failed Summer Move to Germany
On deadline day of the summer transfer window gone by, Palhinha was on the verge of completing a £58 million move to Munich before Fulham pulled the plug on the move. The Cottagers did not sanction the transfer as they were unable to find a suitable replacement in time. However, he remains a key target for the reigning Bundesliga champions.
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Despite the disappointment of the failed move, the midfielder has played at a very high level for the London-based outfit. He leads the league with 64 tackles at a success percentage of 50% highlighting his defensive prowess. He also has 22 interceptions, 21 clearances, and 5 blocked shots to his name across 12 appearances which underline his importance to Marco Silva’s side.
In addition to this, he has also chipped in with two goals for the side as they aim to climb into the top half of the league table.
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Pricetag a Hurdle for Potential Suitors
Arsenal would love to acquire the services of the 28-year-old and pair him alongside summer signing Declan Rice. This could give Mikel Arteta’s side a formidable midfield and aid them in their quest for the Premier League title. His hefty price, however, poses a problem for any potential suitor.
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After a summer where they spent big on Rice, Kai Havertz and David Raya, the Gunners are constrained by Financial Fair Play rules. Romano states that a move in January would be a considerable investment and not an easy one to achieve.
Despite this, a winter transfer should not be ruled out for Palhinha. With Bayern and other clubs also in the mix, this is an interesting transfer saga to keep track of in the weeks to come.
