Fulham’s strong stance over Joao Palhinha appears to have dissuaded West Ham from following up their initial offer for Joao Palhinha, according to a report from the Athletic this afternoon.

The Whites swiftly rejected the Hammers’ bid for their Portuguese midfielder, believed to be worth around £45m. The Athletic’s West Ham correspondent Roshane Thomas revealed in his reporting with Peter Rutzler that the Hammers are likely to explore other alternatives to replace Declan Rice in their midfield after being told that the 28 year-old, who enjoyed an excellent first season in the Premier League last year, is not for sale. The Hammers are not confident of signing a man who featured highly on David Moyes’ summer shortlist and a second bid is unlikely.

Palhinha, who led the top flight in terms of tackles and scored four goals in forty appearances as Fulham finished tenth as well as reaching the last eight in the FA Cup, has four years to run on his current contract – with the Whites holding an option to extend his stay in SW6 by a further twelve months. The former Sporting Lisbon midfielder is happy at Craven Cottage, where he is working under his former Sporting head coach Marco Silva, and wants to remain with the club.