Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha is being monitored by five Premier League clubs.

Palhinha, 27, joined the Cottagers from Sporting last summer for £20million.

And now The Sun understand Manchester United, Newcastle, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are all interested in signing the Portugal international.

Despite missing the last two league games due to suspension, Palhinha has been a revelation in his debut season in the English top flight.

But the length of his contract, which runs until 2027, could be a potential stumbling block for any suitor.

The Mail say Jurgen Klopp’s Reds lead the race for the tough tackler and that bids could rise as high as £60m to convince the West Londoners to sell.

Klopp’s men are in urgent need of engine room reinforcements and may see Palhinha as a more affordable option than highly-prized Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham.

Fulham’s No26 is expected to return to Marca Silva’s starting line-up for Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final tie at Old Trafford.

In other news

Ben Chilwell could be one of 12 players to exit Chelsea this summer, with The Athletic reporting Manchester City are keen on purchasing the 26-year-old left-back as a replacement for Joao Cancelo.

Transfer guru Nicolo Schira understands Paris Saint-Germain will compete with Chelsea and Manchester United to sign Napoli sensation Victor Osimhen this summer.

Fellow transfer expert Ekrem Konur says United and Newcastle are keeping a close eye on PSV Eindhoven’s teenage midfielder Xavi Simons.