Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha is set to stay at Fulham until at least the end of the season, according to the Evening Standard.

The Portuguese international came close to joining Bayern Munich at the very end of the summer transfer window, but the German giants are targeting ‘more affordable’ alternatives having balked at Fulham’s asking price of around £100m for the man who has made the most tackles in Europe this season. Palhinha signed a new contract at Craven Cottage within a fortnight of his move to Munich falling through – and that has strengthened the club’s position in this transfer window.

The former Sporting Lisbon midfielder has only enhanced his reputation in his second season in the Premier League but none of the leading English sides will be able to offer anything close to what Fulham will demand for his signature. Manchester City are not believed to be plotting a move for Palhinha despite press speculation last month, whilst Arsenal and Liverpool are unable to fund a serious transfer splurge without selling members of their first-team squad.

Palhinha, now under contract at Fulham until 2028, is enjoying working with his former Sporting head coach Marco Silva and is happy to remain at the club.