Mike McGrath has shared how Declan Rice’s possible sale this summer could cause issues for West Ham when trying to sign transfer target Joao Palhinha from Fulham.
It has been suggested that the all-round Fulham midfielder might be targeted by West Ham, as they aim to replace their departing captain.
But, according to Telegraph reporter McGrath, when Declan Rice leaves, given the money he is going to generate, then their neighbours across London are going to ask for ‘absolute top dollar’ for Joao Palhinha, as he told talkSPORT.
There is talk that the Hammers want well above £100 million for Rice, with both Arsenal and Manchester City fighting it out for his signature, as reported by Sky Sports.
If that deal goes through, then whilst the East London side have their money, it puts them in a spot of bother because they will then go hunting for replacements and others will know that they have a wad of cash in their back pockets.
And if they knock on Fulham’s door for Palhinha, then McGrath thinks he could cost as much as ‘£70 million’.
“My information I am told on that is that Fulham are going to ask absolute top dollar for him,” said McGrath. “Going by what Declan Rice is going to leave West Ham for, they believe he’s going to get a very, very big price on his head if he is going to leave Fulham.
“Obviously, they don’t want him to leave after the season that he has had under Marco Silva. But if he was to go, then it would be for a huge, huge profit and we are talking like £60-70 million.
“I think that would rumble on because things will have to happen before then and money has to get into the system from Declan Rice, before anything else is spent down the line on somebody like that.”
Taste of your medicine
If Fulham are wanting such a transfer fee for their player, who was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League last season, then you can’t blame them.
At the end of the day, West Ham are getting a taste of their own medicine, the price on Rice’s fee is inflated, so they are doing the same with Palhinha.
And even if those in the London Stadium walk away from any Palhinha talks because of the price, they will find that every club they knock on will put the same price on their player because they know that David Moyes’ side have the money.
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