Dharmesh Sheth issues Fulham stance on Joao Palhinha as West Ham United opening bid
Dharmesh Sheth has delivered an update on Fulham’s stance on new offers for Joao Palhinha as West Ham have submitted an opening bid.
According to the Sky Sports journalist [17 July], the opening Hammers offer of £45million has been turned down and the Cottagers are not keen on new offers as they want to keep the 28-year-old at the club.
It’s understood that if the Portugal international is to leave Craven Cottage this summer, it will be for an £80million fee.
Sheth wrote on Twitter, “Fulham reject £45m bid from West Ham United for Joao Palhinha as per @JackRosser_ – Fulham not encouraging offers and are thought to value the player at £80m. Palhinha has 4 years left on contract plus option of further year.”
Ridiculous valuation
While Palhinha has been among the better midfielders in the Premier League, the West London side cannot be demanding that much for him.
He’s only been there one season and he certainly cannot command a fee that high.
Declan Rice went for nine figures because he’s younger, homegrown and has proven himself in the toughest league in the world for a number of years.
Fulham might argue that the 28-year-old has four years left on his contract but the Hammers need not concern themselves with that.
If they feel that he is out of their price range, they will happily move on and pursue someone like Ajax’s Edson Alvarez.
It remains to be seen how much Fulham will be willing to come down to if Palhinha tells him that he wants out and a £60million fee appears to be fair for him.
In other West Ham news, a super-rich club has launched an enquiry into a star player who could follow Declan Rice out of the door as his agent may engineer a transfer.