Sources: Aston Villa rejected chance to sign Fulham star Joao Palhinha
Aston Villa rejected the chance to sign Fulham star Joao Palhinha, sources have told Football Insider.
The Portugal international, 27, is having an outstanding debut season in the Premier League after signing from Sporting Lisbon for £17.2million in the summer.
Palhinha had been lined up for a move to the English top flight for over a year before he joined Fulham.
He was on the radar of Wolves in the summer of 2021 and has also been offered to Villa.
But the Midlands giants turned down the opportunity to pursue a move for Palhinha.
Since moving to Craven Cottage, Palhinha has started 14 of his side's 15 Premier League games, scoring two goals.
His form has helped the Cottagers avoid a relegation battle during their first season back in the top flight, with the club entering the World Cup break in ninth place.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa have largely struggled this season though they have won the two league games new boss Unai Emery has taken charge of.
Villa's early-season form saw Steven Gerrard sacked after another summer of heavy spending.
Diego Carlos, Philippe Coutinho, Leander Dendoncker and Robin Olsen arrived on permanent transfers while Ludwig Augustinsson and Jan Bednarek arrived on loan.
In-demand midfielder Boubacar Kamara also arrived on a free transfer.
Kamara has been the most successful of the summer signings, starting eight games before picking up a knee injury.
Aston Villa sit 12th in the Premier League table after their back-to-back wins against Man United and Brighton.