Liverpool have reportedly put Fulham’s Joao Palhinha at the top of their six-man midfield shortlist, as Jurgen Klopp looks to reinforce his midfield unit.
The Reds have been chasing a midfield addition throughout the closing weeks of the transfer window after seeing moves for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia hijacked by Chelsea recently. This has left the Merseysiders low on options as they attempt to secure a new signing.
According to The Daily Mail, Joao Palhinha is under consideration at Liverpool but Fulham’s £60million-plus price tag could be a stumbling block.
Palhinha, 28, adapted to the Premier League like a duck to water following his move from Sporting CP last summer. He made 35 Premier League appearances, scoring three goals, while leading the division for successful tackles during the 2022/23 campaign.
Despite the Portugal midfielder’s obvious talents and pedigree, he is currently sidelined after being forced off in Fulham’s pre-season friendly against Brentford with a shoulder injury last month.
Joao Palhinha to Liverpool—Good choice?
After allowing the likes of Naby Keita, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to depart, Liverpool are in desperate need of midfield reinforcements. In Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, they have managed just two summer signings so far. However, the Reds remain hungry for more, especially after their problems in midfield were exposed in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The midfield troika of Mac Allister, Gakpo and Szoboszlai started against Chelsea but were cut through multiple times. The departure of Fabinho has left a huge void in midfield, and considering the way the Reds were exposed by Chelsea, Klopp is badly in need of a new No.6. Joao Palhinha, in that regard, would be a perfect fit at Anfield.
Palhinha led the division for successful tackles last season, racking up a staggering 147 tackles—47 more than second-placed Moises Caicedo. A combative presence in the middle of the park, the Portuguese will shield Liverpool’s back four and provide a strong base for Mac Allister and Szoboszlai to flourish as two No.8s. In addition, he will also bring the much-needed physicality to Liverpool’s engine room, which they have lost following Fabinho and Henderson’s exits.
At 28, Palhinha is at the peak of his powers and has the qualities to make an immediate impact which the Reds want. However, Fulham are rumoured to value Palhinha at £60 million or more, so it is unclear whether Liverpool are ready to shell out that much.
Considering they have missed out on top targets Lavia and Caicedo, the Reds must not waste further time and splash the cash to sign the Portuguese enforcer from Fulham.