Fulham remain confident of retaining Joao Palhinha despite frenzied interested in the Portuguese midfielder’s services, according to various reports this evening.
The Evening Standard expresses the Cottagers’ firm belief that they will be able to hold onto the former Sporting midfielder in spite of frenzied speculation that suggests several suitors are keen on signing the 28 year-old this summer. Palhinha led the Premier League in tackling in his first season in England, which saw him score four goals in forty appearances, as Marco Silva’s side finished tenth on their return to the top flight.
Palhinha has four years remaining on his Craven Cottage contract – with Fulham holding an option to extend that deal by a further twelve months. He is happy in London and pleased to be reunited with Silva, who nurtured his talent during the 45 year-old’s spell in charge of Sporting. West Ham have been regularly linked with a bid for Palhinha over the course of the close season – but Fulham do not need to sell any of their key players this summer and are understood to have made it clear that their player of the season is not for sale.
Silva, who rejected an approach from Saudi side Al-Hilal earlier this week, is preparing for a full campaign in charge of the Whites despite not yet putting pen to paper on the contract extension that Fulham have offered him after two outstanding seasons since succeeding Scott Parker in SW6.
This an interesting period of time when speculation is rife on who goes where. For us the priority should be to keep our existing first 15-16 and build. Palhinha is a must, Robinson and Tete in a similar bracket, with Tosin close behind. More than the loss of Tosin would be a bad period of transfer activity without improving the overall quality of the squad and if possible the age and length of contract profiles. As Fulham fans we all grow used to the shape of this next 10 weeks as rumour is followed by becalmed weather followed by a period of what seems like panic only for the dust to settle and we persuade ourselves it was a good window. I’d really like to challenge the cup competitions as well as sustain our league position but not with a threadbare squad. Hold onto the players and build depth and quality please!!
Agree with Mark (above), except if Robinson and Tosin are entering the final year of their contracts and are refusing to renew, it would be foolish of the club to hold on to them wouldn’t it as FFC would be missing out on, what £50m in transfer fees? I think Tosin us very replaceable and Robinson, while a very useful attacking full back is prone to the occasional calamitous error (am thinking Arsenal at home and Bournemouth away in 22/23)
Robinson will be gone before the season starts, he’s quick and had his best season last year but he’s not irreplaceable. Palhinha is a vital player and FFC will stand firm. If Rice is worth 100m then Palhinha must be close to that. 80m and FFC should consider it otherwise jog on.
If Robinson and/or Tosin won’t sign a new contract they must be sold but it begs the question of why they won’t renew. More money no doubt so are we being realistic in what we’re offering them? Do they have doubts about our ability to progress? Does their ambition exceed their talents or are they genuinely better than mid table prem? How hard have we tried to keep them and is the truth that Silva wants better?
Almost 28
We most definitely have to keep Palhina and if Tosin and Robinson leave we need to replace them with better players if we want to aim for European football next season, why hasn’t Marco signed a new contract yet what is the problem? give him what he wants and the sooner the better. With the prices you are charging us supporters we deserve better.