Transfer Talk: Fulham want £60m for in-demand Palhinha

Fulham will demand a fee of up to £60million if they are to part company with Joao Palhinha in January.

The Cottagers are reluctant to lose their key midfielder in the middle of a season and would need a significant sum to do so, report Football Insider.

The 28-year-old signed a new five-year deal at Craven Cottage in September but that does not rule out an exit next month.

He was on the verge of signing for Bayern Munich at the end of the summer window before Marco Silva's side pulled out of the deal as they had not been able to source a replacement.

The Bundesliga champions are understood to be prioritising a deal for a centre-back in January but could also return for the Portuguese international.

Liverpool are interested but thought to be unsure about spending a big fee on a midfielder having already undergone an expensive overhaul in that position ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

And Arsenal will weigh up whether to make a move for the 24-cap international or Aston Villa maestro Douglas Luiz.

Fulham are next in action away to Bournemouth on Boxing Day.

In other news

Arsenal have contacted Ivan Toney's representatives ahead of a potential move for the striker in January, according to Italian transfers expert Rudy Galetti.

Reports in France state that Kylian Mbappe has no interest in leaving Paris Saint-Germain next month, with his contract due to expire in the summer of 2024.

Said Benrahma could leave West Ham for Lyon in January, claim talkSPORT, having made just four Premier League starts this season.