Sources: Aston Villa willing to pay £60m asking price to finalise Palhinha deal
Aston Villa are willing to match Fulham’s £60million price tag to sign Joao Palhinha this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Midlands club are closely monitoring the 27-year-old midfielder and are preparing to enter a bidding war to secure his signature.
Villa are prepared to table a £60million offer that would match Fulham’s asking price and break the club’s transfer record, but they are aware that they face competition from Tottenham, Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Despite mass interest from European giants, Football Insider sources revealed on Saturday (6 May) that Villa are confident that they can financially compete with the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ for Palhinha.
After a promising end to the season, the Villa board are eager to back Unai Emery with a number of ambitious signings.
Emery is understood to be a huge fan of Palhinha, who he views to be a direct upgrade to his current starting XI at Villa Park.
Villa are hopeful that the promise of regular first-team action and possible European football next season is enough to lure Palhinha to the club.
The Portuguese international has been a standout performer for Fulham this season and started 31 Premier League matches for the Cottagers – the only three league fixtures he has missed this season have been through suspensions.
He has scored four goals in all competitions for Marco Silva’s side, and his impact in midfield is highlighted by his impressive defensive stats, with Palhinha topping the Premier League charts for tackles with 129 this season.
Palhinha is tied down to a long-term contract at Fulham after signing a five-year deal following his move last summer, but the London side are growing increasingly worried that he could force a move at the end of the season.
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