Midfield dynamo João Palhinha - Why Europe’s top clubs want Fulham’s star

João Palhinha stormed the Premier League last season, following his €21 million move from Lisbon-based Sporting. The Portuguese midfielder topped the league's tackles stats with 147 - his nearest competitor was Moisés Caicedo on just 100. Bayern Munich came within touching distance of adding Fulham’s player of the season Palhinha to their ranks this summer, but a deadline day move fell through - although it seems the combative midfielder is destined for the top.

So with the January transfer window fast approaching, why is Palhinha so highly-regarded and who could sign him?

João Palhinha: Why he is so good at Fulham

Many predicted newly promoted Fulham would live up to their stereotype as a ‘yo-yo club’ in recent years, and go straight back down to the Championship last season. Few expected manager Marco Silva and his newly signed compatriot Palhinha to lead the Cottagers to a tenth placed finish. His value rose from €25m when signing for the West Londoners, to €55m in the latest Premier League value update.

Palhinha was something of a late bloomer to the top; not making his Portugal debut until aged 25, and not getting his move to the Premier League with Fulham until aged 27, but it was worth the wait. Last season not only did he top the tackles and tackles won stats in the entire league, but also missed just 307 minutes of football as Fulham flirted with one of the most unlikely European qualifications. In the three games he missed through suspension, Fulham lost by an aggregate scoreline of 10-3.

This season, regardless of his head potentially being turned by a possible move to Bayern Munich, he has picked up where he left off. Despite missing two games, Palhinha once again tops the tackles won metric for the league, and is joint third for interceptions. He has also scored two crucial equalisers away at Arsenal and Brighton, and recorded 10 tackles in that draw at Brighton - the most in a Premier League game this season by any player. After that game, his boss Silva said, “His attitude, commitment, the way he lifts others around him — it is not easy to find in football. In moments when we lose the ball, his reaction is impressive.”

João Palhinha: Which clubs are and should be interested in him?

As aforementioned, Fulham had agreed a fee with Bayern in the region of €65m for Palhinha, but the deal was hinged on Fulham signing a suitable replacement before the transfer deadline, which they were unable to do. As Bayern reportedly plot a fresh bid in January, the new contract the Portuguese star signed in September, taking him until 2028 at Craven Cottage, may drive up the price for prospective suitors, and many other clubs may need his services.

Casemiro’s age and lack of legs is becoming an issue at Manchester United, as their season stumbles from one disaster to another, whilst Liverpool never fully invested in a holding player to complete their new midfield trifecta alongside Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. Both Casemiro and Mac Allister, who has been deputising the holding role, have registered significantly less tackles this season - 21 and 26 respectively. There could also be other interest from abroad with Atletico Madrid and Napoli also rumoured to be considering Palhinha.