Man Utd plot Premier League midfielder swoop

Jacque Talbot

• 12 Mar 2023 13:40 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United are interested in signing Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha this summer - even though the 27-year-old moved to Craven Cottage last year.

The Sun report that the northwest club will make a move for the Portugal international, having missed out on him before for €20 million.

The player has been one of Fulham’s best-performing players this term, being the focal point in Marco Silva's midfield.

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Indeed, the defensive midfielder left Sporting Lisbon last summer for €20m, at a time where Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Noticias suggested that Man Utd were keen on signing him.

The outlet claimed that the Premier League giants had even sent scouts to watch Palhinha play when Sporting took on Porto.

And now, according to reports, Erik ten Hag's side have renewed their interest in signing Palhinha this summer, though they will face stiff competition from Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham.

It is believed, too, that his value has increased significantly from what Fulham paid for him last year, with Fulham asking for at least €40m.

Palhinha has four years left on his contract and appears to be enjoying his time in west London.

Man Utd in for midfielder

In January, Man Utd brought in Marcel Sabitzer on loan to bolster the midfield.

There have been discussions over whether Man Utd would look to make the move permanent and sounds from Germany are that it would cost the side as little as €20m.

The midfielder is on loan from Bayern Munich, having made four starts for the Red Devils so far this term.

He was brought in after it was learnt that Christian Eriksen would be out until at least April with his ankle injury.

Bild claims that Bayern are already planning for next season without him and he is considered surplus to requirements and so a deal would be fairly easy to wrap up.

Sabitzer started just seven of his 15 Bundesliga appearances this season, and just 20 starts in all competitions.