Dharmesh Sheth shares ‘encouragement’ update on West Ham pursuit of Joao Palhinha
West Ham may have received encouragement from Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha about a potential move that led to their £45million bid that was rejected, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.
Palhinha has long been linked with a move across London and the Hammers now have room to manoeuvre to secure a potential big-money signing following the £105m sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal.
The Sun journalist Jack Rosser reported on 17 July that the Hammers had a bid of around £40m rejected by the Cottagers and according to Sheth, speaking live on Sky Sports (18 July), Fulham are not encouraging offers for a player who they value at around £80million.
He said: “I just wonder now if West Ham United have got some sort of encouragement that Joao Palhinha may be interested in going there, simply because West Ham have gone in with a bid now.
“It’s worth £45million, it’s been rejected and we’re told that Fulham are not encouraging offers for a player who they value at around £80million.”
Go for Alvarez
With West Ham United now holding a considerable war chest available following the departure of Rice over the weekend, they now have plenty of wiggle room in the transfer market.
However, that can have its disadvantages as clubs now know what kind of transfer war chest West Ham United will be dealing with meaning they can demand huge money for potential targets.
That is what Fulham are taking advantage of right now, and the £40m bid placed for Palhinha was always going to be rejected given his undeniable qualities and importance to the Cottagers.
It’s certainly going to take a bid in the region of £80m-plus for Fulham to even consider listening to and given his stark qualities and suitability to fulfilling the gaping Rice hole, and while the Portugal international represents a stunning option to pursue, it’s unlikely the Hammers will look to shell out such a fee on one player.
With alternative target Edson Alvarez potentially available for around £35m-£40m, David Moyes will be urging the West Ham board to identify the Mexican as a more viable and attainable replacement for Rice. And he’d be a perfect solution too.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are ready to test Harry Maguire’s resolve to stay at Manchester United.