After Leeds and Wolves failed to pay £14m, reported target could get £10k pay-rise

Follow us on Google Discover

Sporting Lisbon are planning to hand Joao Palhinha a rise on his current £4,000-a-week contract after the likes of Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers failed to meet his £14 million price-tag, according to A Bola.

The Lisbon-born 25-year-old has rarely been out of the gossip columns in recent months.

While it seemed only a matter of time before Palhinha was swapping Portugal for the Premier League during the height of the summer, all signs now suggest that the ball-winning enforcer will be staying at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Leeds made an enquiry earlier in September, according to O Jogo, while Wolves were close to agreeing a deal too (the Mirror, 6.09,2020, page 66).

But Sporting’s £14 million price-tag has proved to be prohibitive with none of Palhinha’s suitors, including Russian giants CKSA Moscow, meeting their demands thus far.

A Bola suggests that the Portuguese powerhouse, who currently earns a relatively meagre £4,000-a-week, could agree a new deal worth around £14,000-a-week.

He also has a £55 million release clause in his contract.

Palhinha impressed against Wolves in the Europa League group stages last season during his loan spell at Braga and would offer something different, and more defensive, in a midfield full of play-makers.