West Ham United chances of signing Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha to replace Declan Rice shared by Sky Sports pundit
Sky Sports pundit Darren Ambrose has been bullish on the West Ham pursuit of Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha this summer.
The Hammers are set to lose Declan Rice this summer with Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea among the teams linked with the England international.
Reports of his replacement have been circulating with the Sun claiming that the Hammers are willing to shell out £40million for Palhinha but that the West London club will be tempted by £50million.
Ambrose said on talkSPORT on 19 June, “I can (see him joining West Ham). Depending on what he is being offered.
“West Ham, at the moment, you would say it’s a step up from Fulham, however well Fulham did last season. They surprised a lot of people.
“I think West Ham massively underachieved last season. They need to improve, and in order to improve, they need to get players that were better than them last season and Palhinha is one of them.
“If you have got the chance to sign Palhinha, people will be screaming at their radios ‘How is that a step up?’ But if you look at the actual football clubs and what they achieved last season, Fulham overachieved and West Ham underachieved, so I can see that happening.”
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The major reason for Fulham overachieving this past season was the fact that they had someone like Palhinha anchoring the midfield for them.
He was nearly flawless in that role for Marco Silva and the price quoted is fair for someone of his calibre.
There could be midfielders in Europe cheaper but they may not fancy a move to West Ham, due to their lack of Champions League football.
Palhinha does not appear to be linked with any European elite clubs thus far and if a deal can be struck soon then it would be a fantastic piece of business.
Breaking the Lines, in their scouting report, billed him as an “Exceptional” player and he could be just what the Hammers need to replace Rice.
It remains to be seen if West Ham can bring down the price for the 27-year-old and even in case they don’t, he’s worth the money.