Marco Silva has been given further details of Fulham’s frenzied attempts to keep hold João Palhinha over the course of the summer.

The Portuguese international’s fantastic form since moving to Craven Cottage from Sporting Lisbon last summer attracted the interest of a number of European sides, including Bayern Munich, who pressed to sign the 28 year-old late in the August transfer window. But Silva has revealed during an interview with Eleven Sports in his native Portugal that discussions were already underway about a new deal for Palhinha before the drama of deadline day:

“The renewal [of Palhinha’s contract] was important and it was something that was being planned, it wasn’t because of Bayern or anything like that. It was already being planned during the summer.

João had several proposals, this one from Bayern was more popular because it is one of the biggest clubs in the world, but there were others and the club decided not to sell. With players who perform like they do and gain such great importance, Fulham have to do something to make them feel good and valued. That’s what happened.”