Transfer Talk: Palhinha in demand as Liverpool and United eye midfielder

Joao Palhinha has earned plenty of admirers during his short time at Fulham.

The midfielder, who joined the Cottagers from Sporting last year, has been linked with both Manchester United and Liverpool ahead of the January transfer window.

Given his consistent performances at Craven Cottage, it is not hard to see why the Portugal international is so in demand.

Ahead of Liverpool's clash with United today, we take a look at which club Palhinha might be best suited to.

Midfield destroyer

Palhinha's qualities make him an attractive player for any Premier League team.

He is combative and aggressive off the ball, ranking first in the division for total tackles (76).

To highlight his willingness to get stuck in, the player with the next highest number of tackles to his name is Sheffield United's Vinicius Souza (52).

Palhinha has also scored twice and provided one assist for Fulham this season, as well as completing 443 passes at an accuracy rate of 83.9%.

Those numbers are a continuation of his impressive first season in the Premier League, which led to interest from several clubs throughout the summer and a proposed move to Bayern Munich, which fell through on deadline day.

Fulham boss Marco Silva said: “He [Palhinha] is a top player, top professional, top guy — since the minute he joined the club.

"He dreams of improving his career. What happened with Joao can happen with any of the 25 players in our squad but I never had any doubt about his commitment."

Reds rumours

A move to Liverpool could well appeal to Palhinha more so than other options with Jurgen Klopp's side sitting top of the Premier League.

Much was made of Klopp's need to rebuild Liverpool's midfield in the summer, with Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner all departing.

A long-term injury for Thiago Alcantara made the task an even more difficult one.

But Liverpool have so far done an excellent job, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai performing well alongside the likes of Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott.

Still, there is a noticeable lack of a true defensive midfielder, with Wataru Endo signed as more of a stop-gap.

Palhinha would fill the gap left by Fabinho and potentially be the final ingredient for a Liverpool side on the hunt for more silverware.

United rebuild

United may have more convincing to do if they hope to sign Palhinha, given their struggles in the Premier League and their premature Champions League exit.

Erik ten Hag's side certainly need the injection of energy and aggression the Fulham midfielder would provide.

They also need a player capable of protecting a defence that has been exposed far too often this season.

Casemiro was signed to do that job last year but he has been absent for much of the campaign through injury or suspension.

Equally, there was hope that Sofyan Amrabat would bring some much-needed steel in midfield after his move from Fiorentina — but the loanee has struggled so far.

Palhinha would be an upgrade in that position, even if at 28 he is not a long-term solution.

As the two teams clash in a crucial game at Anfield, Liverpool and United will both be hoping they can win the race to sign Fulham's star man.