Liverpool are targeting Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha (along with 5 other clubs) ahead of the January transfer window, according to Record (via Paisley Gates).
The Portuguese tabloid claim that the Reds will join Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City in pursuing the 28-year-old’s signature.
While there are plenty of fans on X who would dearly like the Merseyside club to sign Palhinha, there are some who doubt whether a transfer next month is on the cards:
PLEASE
— Beetlepimp (@Beetlep95923146) December 18, 2023
Take my money
— padar (@tadaitspada) December 18, 2023
not happening just give up on it
— vladd (@LFC_Vlad) December 18, 2023
Just flipping get him!!! One week we want him, other week we aren’t interested, and now we are again. We need 3 signings to go on and compete on all fronts.
— Zahoor Hussain (@ZeeHussain1501) December 18, 2023
Not gonna happen I’m afraid!
— Bobby (@Bobby9310813671) December 18, 2023
Just pay it ngl. The more we win the ball back, the better to sustain pressure and to support our inefficient attack
— Naya (@Naya23_lfc) December 18, 2023
He’s good but he’s nearly 29 and we’re not a club that can spend 60mill every season so it’s nonsense
— Kopite (@Kopite22) December 18, 2023
Palhinha won’t come cheap
Record report that Fulham will demand at least €70m (£60m) for the Portuguese international, and there are some respected sources that say that the Cottagers could ask for an even higher figure (£70m to £80m).
Based on the fact that Liverpool were prepared to splash out a staggering £110m on Moises Caicedo last summer, you can’t completely rule out a massive offer for Palhinha, but there are reasons to be sceptical.
Liverpool would be buying a player without any sell-on value
Palhinha will turn 29 next year and, while some may argue that he could be the difference between the Reds winning the Premier League and losing out this season, the club have never spent big money on players nearing the end of their careers.
It remains to be seen whether that policy will change in January but the smart money would be on the club pursuing a younger target.
