Premier League side Swansea City have joined La Liga side Deportivo La Coruna and Liegue 1’s Bordeaux in tracking Sporting Lisbon midfielder Palhinha.
Swansea City fans were a little sceptical when Carlos Carvalhal took over at the Liberty Stadium just a few days after being sacked by Championship underachievers Sheffield Wednesday.
But after successive wins against Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool, there is a feeling of cautious optimism around South Wales, and that will only be increased if the Swans enjoy a successful end to the January transfer window.
And they would be pulling off quite the coup if they manage to bring in Sporting Lisbon youngster Joao Palhinha before today’s deadline.
Palhinha has not made a single Primeira Liga appearance for Jorge Jesus’s side this season. And, like new Nottingham Forest centre-back Tobias Figueiredo, it appears that the youngster would benefit from a loan away from the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
But a move to the Liberty Stadium is far from likely. Record adds that Jesus is keen to keep the 22-year-old in the Portuguese capital for the rest of the season, meaning the Swans could be left disappointed.
There is a gap in Carvalhal’s squad for a defensive enforcer after Roque Mesa sealed a return to Spain via a loan spell at Sevilla.
But Swansea may have to look elsewhere with 6ft 2ins powerhouse Palhinha seemingly in Sporting’s plans after all.
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