Darren Ambrose has backed Joao Palhinha to switch from Fulham to West Ham United this summer by claiming that it’s a ‘step up’ for the midfielder.
With rumours that Declan Rice could be headed for the exit door this summer, West Ham are going to need a replacement, or for some, two or three.
But with Joao Palhinha’s name popping up in the transfer rumour mill, Ambrose has backed the deal to happen, as he told talkSPORT.
In the Premier League, it was a season of struggle for David Moyes and Co. because they were battling relegation most of the time.
But what transformed their campaign was their Europa League Conference triumph, which wasn’t just their first trophy in 43 years, but also a ticket to next season’s Europa League.
All of that might just tempt Palhinha to join, with Ambrose confident that it would be a ‘step up’ even though Fulham had a far better season than their London rivals.
“I can (see him making that move across the capital),” said Ambrose. “Depending on what he is being offered.
“West Ham, at the moment, you would say it’s a step up from Fulham, however well Fulham did last season. They surprised a lot of people.
“I think West Ham massively underachieved last season. They need to improve, and in order to improve, they need to get players that were better than them last season and Palhinha is one of them.
“If you have got the chance to sign Palhinha, people will be screaming at their radios ‘how is that a step up?’ But if you look at the actual football clubs and what they achieved last season, Fulham overachieved and West Ham underachieved, so I can see that happening.”
How much would Joao Palhinha cost?
This might become a situation where Fulham play West Ham at their own game and demand a big amount for their star midfielder.
No-one made more tackles in the Premier League last season than the Portugal star, so if Fulham are clever, they inflate the price on his head, just like Rice will do with Arsenal, and they can get some added tax for such a key player.
But if the Hammers do land his services, then they will be securing the talents of a very underrated player.
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