Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has spoken concerning rumours linking Liverpool with a January move for Joao Palhinha.
Palhinha has been coveted by Liverpool fans ever since an outstanding performance against them way back in May. But although there were plenty of rumours that he may join the Reds over the summer, it never materialised.
As we head towards another transfer window though, those rumours have continued. Now, asked specifically about Liverpool and Palhinha during a stream on Kick yesterday, Romano has cooled down the links.
“For Palhinha at the moment Liverpool have not activated any concrete contact,” said the transfer expert, before going on to detail a little more about his expectation for the Fulham midfielder.
“Palhinha is in the list of many clubs. He could be very expensive – the price-tag going to be crucial. If Fulham believe they will let him go only for 75 or 80 million Euros it’s going to be difficult for Arsenal, Bayern, all these clubs.
“If they can accept a different kind of fee, I think there’s a very good chance for Palhinha to leave in the January transfer window. His priority remains to leave in January.”
This might be a little bit of a disappointment for those fans who would like to see Liverpool take a run at Palhinha in the New Year.
However, Romano doesn’t appear to rule anything out. Nor does he claim that either Bayern Munich or Arsenal are advancing, either.
As a result, this would still appear to be a very much open race.
Of course, as ever with Liverpool, the crucial thing in any move for Palhinha will be his eventual price-tag. Bayern agreed a last-minute, £58m deal with Fulham for the 28-year-old on deadline day, only to see the move collapse.
As Romano alludes to, if the Cottagers are holding out for that kind of fee – or more- again, then Palhinha may stay where he is.
That’s unlikely to be a problem for Fulham, who would obviously rather keep one of their very best players.
But for Palhinha himself, he may see that as a slight betrayal. Having gone about his business superbly since being denied his big summer move, the Portugal international might feel that his club owe him one here.
If Liverpool were truly interested in being Palhinha’s escape route, you get the feeling they may have made a move already.
The Reds like to get things done early in January and now is the time to start those processes. Nevertheless, no news doesn’t necessarily mean bad news for now. Let’s see how things play out.
