Marco Silva revealed this afternoon that Fulham’s discussions about extending João Palhinha’s contract at Craven Cottage began well before Bayern Munich tried to sign the Portuguese midfielder at the end of the summer transfer window.
The former Sporting midfielder looked set to join Bayern earlier this month only for the deal to collapse at the eleventh hour because the Whites were unable to sign a replacement before the closure of the German transfer window. Palhinha’s decision to sign a new five-year deal to remain in SW6 surprised the footballing community last night – but Silva insists talks between the 28 year-old midfield had the club had started months earlier.
Silva told his press conference today:
“It was not something that we started after the Bayern Munich stuff. This conversation about Joao renewing his contract started much earlier. That is true and Joao is not talking about it because he doesn’t need to, but he knows I’m saying the truth. The conversations started before that. Almost everything was prepared before that.
Of course, another club, a big club came for a player from our squad, that’s just the consequence from last season which I mentioned several times to you, and about the quality of the player of course. It was a matter of time.”
I honestly can’t work out what’s going on at Fulham
When you listen to Harrison read he quoted ‘ Fulham match my ambition’’ club and manager
Why would ginger iniesta not stay if Marco silva will leave
I’m glad we get one more season to see Paulhina at the cottage
Last time we had a wow factor player like this was Louis Saha
I don’t doubt the truth of that but for a deal to be signed post Bayern there must be something in it for both player and club. Presumably we are paying him close to or even more than he would have got there but for us there must be a commitment to stay at the very least for the entire season I would have thought. Plus we’re told no release clause although I wouldn’t rule out some sort of binding understanding in the event of certain clubs at a certain time and at a certain price.
Time will tell but this looks like outstanding work by the club.
Contracts mean nothing to players anymore no matter how many years they sign up for, they don’t honour them and it’s all about money just look at Mitrovic and the way he behaved and now he is slagging us off,he thinks he has moved to a big club what a joke anyone could score hat tricks every week in that Mickey Mouse league.