West Ham preparing approach for £ 50.000/ week midfielder to replace Declan Rice
With Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal planning a second bid for Declan Rice, it seems that West Ham United are now preparing an offer of their own for his replacement – Fulham star Joao Palhinha.
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, West Ham United are preparing their first approach for Fulham defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha as a potential replacement for Declan Rice, who is on the radar of Arsenal.
Romano has said that it is not going to be easy for the Hammers to get a deal done with Fulham for Palhinha, who earns £50,000 per week as salary (Spotrac).
The Telegraph have claimed that Arsenal have an initial offer for Rice turned down and are planning a second bid for the England international midfielder.
West Ham are preparing their first approach for João Palhinha. Not an easy deal with Fulham but he's top of the list for West Ham to replace Declan Rice. 🚨⚒️ #WHUFC
Edson Alvarez remains in list but Borussia Dortmund are pushing to agree personal terms after proposal sent. pic.twitter.com/IANa4xL310
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 18, 2023
Yes, the Hammers are a big and established club in the Premier League and they also won the UEFA Europa Conference League last season, but Fulham will have ambitions of their own and will not want to sell the defensive midfielder on the cheap.
Moreover, Fulham signed the 27-year-old Portugal international defensive midfielder from Sporting Lisbon only in the summer of 2022.
It could take West Ham a considerable transfer fee to get Fulham to sell them Palhinha.
