West Ham United reportedly face paying £50-60million for the transfer of Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha this summer.
According to a report from Football Insider, the Hammers see Palhinha as the “perfect replacement” for club captain Declan Rice, who continues to be linked strongly with a move to Arsenal.
West Ham are also a bigger name and have been more of an ever-present in the Premier League than Fulham, who tend to be something of a yo-yo club with a number of relegations and promotions in decades gone by.
Rice won’t be easy to replace if he does leave, but he’s sure to command a huge transfer fee, which could mean £50-60m r Palhinha ends up looking likedecent business.