Fulham have EVERY right to demand £90m for Joao Palhina

‘This may surprise you,’ said a Fulham senior source over the phone in response to a query about Joao Palhinha. ‘But it’s £90million – nine and then a zero – if someone wants to sign him.’

The conversation went on from there, Fulham’s reasoning being that if Declan Rice is worth at least £100m to West Ham then they feel Palhinha must come close to that figure.

While Fulham’s valuation is a frighteningly-high figure, the Cottagers are well within their rights to name their price for a player they do not want to lose ahead of next season.

It is a message to potential suitors that if they want to sign their man this summer, they will have to pay, and pay big. West Ham were interested in Palhinha as a potential replacement for Rice.

Fulham are in a stronger position than West Ham contractually. Palhinha’s deal does not expire until 2027 and they even hold the option of a one-year extension to take him to 2028.

West Ham were interested in Palhinha should captain Declan Rice leave the club this summer

He cost £20m from Sporting Lisbon when signed last summer and enjoyed a fine first season in the Premier League. 

While described as a ‘walking yellow card’ – he picked up 14 cautions last season, more than any other player – his ability to read the game won high praise. 

Palhinha made more tackles than any other player throughout that season – more than West Ham’s Rice, worth £100m, and Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, also £100m, and every other midfielder in England’s elite league.

Rivals will point out that Palhinha is 27 years old – and turns 28 next month – while Rice is 24 and Caicedo only 21. 

But Fulham are not concerning themselves with their player’s age. They consider Palhinha to be in his prime and so have named their price. That is to the delight of Arsenal supporters. 

You only need to log on to social media to see that they feel this is West Ham being given a taste of their own medicine, given their position on Rice, a midfielder whose contract is nearing its end. 

Palhinha is in his prime at 28 and Fulham have absolutely no interest in selling him this summer

Arsenal have seen two offers rejected for Rice – their latest worth £75m plus £15m in add-ons – and now need to return with a third bid.

West Ham are holding out for £100m for Rice and Hammers insiders feel Palhinha is worth closer to £50m. 

They may still try to test Fulham’s resolve but in light of the Cottagers’ valuation, they are likely to turn to other targets, such as Bristol City’s Alex Scott, or Ajax’s Edson Alvarez, or Kalvin Phillips, though word is he wants to stay at Manchester City despite his lack of game time.

Suitors will not pay £90m for Palhinha. In truth Fulham do not want them to. 

Manager Marco Silva wants to keep hold of the tough-tackling midfielder he considers key to his team and, while it will raise eyebrows, it is only right that they take their own strong stance.