West Ham United transfer news as Joao Palhinha talks take place to replace Declan Rice already
West Ham have made Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha their top target to replace Declan Rice this summer, with talks already taking place and more planned this week, according to TheSecretScout.
The account which is followed by 118,000 people including Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein among other top journalists, reports that talks have begun between West Ham and Fulham over a deal for the Portuguese star who impressed in his first Premier League season.
The report goes on to share that the stumbling block in the deal is Fulham’s asking price, with the West London club demanding £80million for their star midfielder, a fee which eclipses their record sale by £55million.
Not for that price
£80million is quite frankly a ridiculous transfer fee if the Hammers are willing to pay it.
Fulham are entitled to demand whatever they want for him, as the hope is that nobody will be willing to pay, but should West Ham part with that sort of money, they know they are getting a top player.
Palhinha was a key player for Fulham last season, playing 35 Premier League games, with the three he didn’t play only coming as a result of suspension following an accumulation of yellow cards. Whenever he was available, he played.
The East London club do have other options this summer, having also been linked with a move for Leeds United’s Tyler Adams [Leeds Live, 2 July], Marseille’s Matteo Guendouzi [Birmingham Live, 3 July] and Ajax’s Edson Alvarez after his move to Dortmund fell through [The Guardian, 4 July].
Any of these three would be good recruitment from West Ham, with Alvarez standing out as the best option, as his Champions League and international pedigree stand out, with a reported price tag of around £35million providing better value for money than Palhinha would.
In other West Ham news, Fabrizio Romano claims an agreement has finally been reached for West Ham star.