Chelsea join Arsenal, Man Utd & Liverpool in race for €60m star

Cameron Smith

• 15 Dec 2023 09:19 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea have reportedly joined the race to sign Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha, who has attracted serious interest ahead of the January transfer window.

The Portuguese international was close to joining Bayern Munich during the summer, but Fulham pulled the plug on the deal on Deadline Day due to the fact they weren’t able to sign a replacement.

Palhinha then signed a contract extension at Craven Cottage in September, however he remains a target for several clubs as 2024 edges ever closer.

The former Sporting CP star is said to be ready for a new challenge and sees Bayern as his ideal next destination.

However, Premier League clubs are beginning to circle and could convince him to remain in England rather than leave for Germany.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool have all expressed their desire to sign Palhinha in recent weeks, with FootballTransfers exclusively reporting that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are set to turn their attention to the Fulham man after learning Aston Villa’s asking price for Douglas Luiz.

Sources have informed us that Palhinha may cost €58 million (£50m) in 2024, with a January move on the cards if a suitable bid is tabled.

Chelsea want Palhinha

Spanish outlet Fichajes have now reported that Chelsea have joined the race to sign Palhinha as Mauricio Pochettino aims to bolster his midfield.

Despite the summer arrivals of Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Lesley Ugochukwu, the Blues boss still believes his side aren’t adequately covered in the middle of the park and is seeking one new signing in that position.

Palhinha could prove to be that man if Chelsea are willing to move away from their current policy of almost exclusively signing players under the age of 25. The Fulham midfielder is now 28 years old and therefore doesn’t fit the trend of Chelsea’s new arrivals over the past year.

The Blues are also keen on landing a new defender and a new striker in January, as per multiple reports.