Paratici makes contact for Portugal midfielder – but price drop sees Man Utd rival Tottenham for star Bruno Fernandes loves
Tottenham are reportedly in contact over a deal for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha – but his reduced asking price is also said to have alerted two Premier League rivals.
It’s been a hugely frustrating transfer window so far for Tottenham boss Antonio Conte. Looking to make his mark on the squad, he is having to wheel and deal to bring in better quality players. However, with just six days to go, Spurs director Fabio Paratici is yet to strike gold.
As such, a report on Monday claims Conte is putting pressure on Tottenham to secure four signings before the window shuts.
And while that seems a touch ambitious, Conte admits Spurs lack the squad quality that many of their Premier League rivals do.
Strenghtening their squad though has proven tough. Efforts to sign Franck Kessie look to have failed, while links to Georginio Wijnaldum appear wide of the mark.
According to reports from Portugal, however, Tottenham could have some joy with a planned move for Palhinha.
The Sporting Lisbon midfielder is a long-term target of the clubs, emerging as a player of interest under Jose Mourinho.
Back then, Sporting valued the 26-year-old midfielder at £33.5m (€40m).
However, his value is said to have diminished slightly since then, with his asking price set at £25m (€30m).
And the reduced fee is, according to Record, reported to have alerted Spurs.
Midfielder has ‘one foot out of the door’
They claim Paratici is already in contact with the player’s agent over a prospective move. Furthermore, the Portuguese outlet claims Palhinha already has ‘one foot out of the door’.
However, Spurs are far from alone in making contact for Palhinha.
Indeed, the report claims both Manchester United and Wolves have also contacted the player’s agent over a prospective move.
Furthermore, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid are also seemingly keen on his signing.
They claim Sporting are open to his sale if their asking price is met, with the player seemingly open to all moves.
They do write, however, that it is his ‘dream’ to play in the Premier League, making any of those three genuine suitors.
Bruno Fernandes a big fan of Joao Palhinha
Manchester United do have other irons in the fire when it comes to midfielders. Indeed, their boss Ralf Rangnick is strongly linked with a move for RB Leipzig’s Amadou Haidara, who who fit in with his high intensity style.
One advantage United may have, however, is their strong Portuguese contingent. The Red Devils already boast Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes.
The latter of these, Fernandes, is reportedly a huge admirer of Palhinha’s talents. As such, he would reportedly love to play alongside him at club level as well as for Portugal too.
Palhinha, a tigerish central midfielder, has three goals in 24 appearances for Sporting this season. He’s also been in the referee’s notebook seven times this season.
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