Liverpool fight Premier League rivals for £80m ‘immediate solution’ after ‘near-record bid’ is submitted

Lewis Oldham
Liverpool target Palhinha
Joao Palhinha could leave Fulham this summer.

Liverpool have reportedly added Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha to their list of targets as they attempt to replace Brazil international Fabinho.

The Premier League giants have acted swiftly in the transfer market this summer to sign Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for around £95m combined.

These arrivals followed the exits of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who moved on after their contracts expired.

Further reinforcements are required in midfield with it looking likely that Fabinho and Jordan Henderson will sign for Saudi Pro League clubs before the summer transfer window closes.

Liverpool are in line to receive around £5om for the two midfielders, who are reportedly set to undergo medicals ahead of their respective moves to the Middle East.

The Reds would definitely need to bring in a specialist defensive midfielder to replace Fabinho. They have been linked with Southampton’s Romeo Lavia and Cheick Doucoure in recent weeks.

The Liverpool Echo are reporting that ‘Liverpool have started the process of identifying a replacement for Fabinho and want a new signing in place before the start of the Premier League season at Chelsea on August 13′.

Lavia and Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch are named as potential targets, ‘but the need for a more immediate solution has prompted Liverpool to widen the age profile of potential signings, with Fulham’s 28-year-old Palhinha a possibility’.

Though it is noted that Liverpool would ‘ideally prefer a younger player’, with Crystal Palace 2022/23 Player of the Year Doucoure ‘among those being considered’.

READ MORE: Should Liverpool refuse to sell Fabinho and Henderson to Saudi Arabia on principle?

West Ham United are also showing interest in Palhinha as they attempted to replace £105m Arsenal newcomer Declan Rice.

The Guardian reported earlier this week that the Hammers have had a £45m bid for Palhinha ‘turned away’ by Fulham.

The report added: ‘West Ham are under pressure to spend after selling Rice but they have not been quick off the mark.

‘Fulham are demanding £80m for Palhinha and West Ham are not optimistic about their chances of landing the Portugal international, who excelled after joining Fulham from Sporting last summer, although there have been suggestions that £50m could be enough.’

Football Insider meanwhile are now reporting that Fulham have ‘warned West Ham about making another move for Palhinha after rejecting’ their ‘near-record’ £45m bid for the centre-midfielder.

West Ham’s current record buy is £51m Lucas Paqueta. Palhinha is said to be their ‘top target’ but Fulham have ‘warned them not to waste their time making a new offer’.

Palhinha only cost Fulham £20m last summer and he was one of the signings of the season in the Premier League as he helped Marco Silva’s side stay up with ease.

READ MORE: Transfer gossip: Liverpool target whole Bayern midfield; Man Utd striker latest amid £60m demand