Fulham strike £25 million deal for Joao Palhinha replacement after ending McTominay pursuit

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

HITC understands that Fulham have taken a major step forward to making a midfield signing to replace Joao Palhinha this summer.

Joao Palhinha completed his move to Bayern Munich earlier this summer and this led to Marco Silva’s Fulham looking for replacements.

Fulham came close to reaching an agreement to sign Fluminense midfielder Andre but the deal to take the Brazilian midfielder to Craven Cottage did not progress.

Marco Silva’s Fulham were also keen on Scott McTominay and the Cottagers saw two bids rejected for the Manchester United midfielder.

Now, sources have told HITC that the London club is closing in on their chosen midfield target.

Fulham agree Sander Berge deal with Burnley

Sources have told HITC that Fulham have struck an agreement with EFL Championship side Burnley for the signing of Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge.

The Cottagers are long-term admirers of the Norwegian almost signed him in 2023, but the player failed a medical.

Now Fulham, who have been looking for a new holding midfielder since Palhinha left earlier this summer, have moved to agree terms with the Norwegian midfielder Berge.

Another side who were offered the chance to sign Berge were Manchester United with the Red Devils offered a plethora of midfielders as negotiations continue to bring in Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

United did consider Berge as an option to potentially bring into their midfield but Jorge Mendes, Manuel Ugarte’s agent, is confident that his client will end up at United.

Last season for Burnley, when the Lancashire club were in the Premier League, the Norwegian made 37 appearances in England’s top division and is now set for a return to the pinnacle of English football.

Fulham ended McTominay interest, Napoli also keen

As mentioned, after having two offers rejected by the Red Devils for McTominay, rather than Fulham making a third bid for the Scotsman, the Cottagers instead turned their attention to Berge.

Another side who are interested in McTominay is Napoli with the Italian giants keen on signing the United midfielder this summer.

As for Fulham, sources have told HITC that a £25 million deal has now been agreed with Burnley for Berge with the add-ons making up £5 million of the deal.