West Ham United want to sign Joao Palhinha but the notion of a Fulham release clause has been played down.
Fulham have completely denied claims that West Ham United target Joao Palhinha can leave the club for a fixed price.
West Ham are being heavily linked with a move to sign Palhinha this summer as they prepare to lose Declan Rice.
The England international seems poised to leave West Ham this summer with Arsenal seemingly favourites to sign him.
West Ham must have targets in mind with Rice probably on his way out, especially with Rice offering so much in midfield.
An anchor man seems to be a top priority and TalkSPORT claimed on Saturday that West Ham want to sign Fulham star Palhinha.
They added that there is a release clause in Palhinha’s contract – something completely denied by Fulham.
Tony Khan – Fulham’s Director of Football Operations, General Manager and Sporting Director – has taken to Twitter to completely deny a release clause exists.
Khan didn’t offer much more, simply stating ‘there is no release clause’ with Fulham seemingly in no mood to sell.
Who could West Ham sign if not Joao Palhinha?
Palhinha was always going to be a lofty target for West Ham after a superb first season at Fulham.
The Portugal international was a sensation in midfield with Danny Murphy hailing Palhinha as ‘absolutely phenomenal’.
Prising him away from Fulham was always going to be difficult and certainly expensive, possibly even more so with no release clause.
West Ham may need to look elsewhere and one option will be Ajax ace Edson Alvarez.
BILD claim that West Ham are rivalling Borussia Dortmund in the race to sign Mexico international Alvarez.
The Ajax star is a pure holding midfielder and West Ham may fancy him as a player who can help free up Tomas Soucek a little more.
90Min add that Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips is on West Ham’s radar after a tricky first season at the Etihad Stadium.
That move seems unlikely though and with Alvarez wanted elsewhere too, West Ham need to have a number of targets in mind if Palhinha is unattainable.
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