Aston Villa are willing to match Fulham’s £60million price tag to sign Joao Palhinha this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Midlands club is closely monitoring the 27-year-old midfielder and is preparing to enter a bidding war to secure his signature
Villa is prepared to table a £60million offer that would match Fulham’s asking price and break the club’s transfer record, but they are aware that they face competition from Tottenham, Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich.
Despite mass interest from European giants, Football Insider sources revealed on Saturday (6 May) that Villa is confident that they can financially compete with the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ for Palhinha.
After a promising end to the season, the Villa board is eager to back Unai Emery with a number of ambitious signings.
Emery is understood to be a huge fan of Palhinha, who he views to be a direct upgrade to his current starting XI at Villa Park.
Villa is hopeful that the promise of regular first-team action and possible European football next season is enough to lure Palhinha to the club.
The Portuguese international has been a standout performer for Fulham this season and started 31 Premier League matches for the Cottagers – the only three league fixtures he has missed this season have been through suspensions.
He has scored four goals in all competitions for Marco Silva’s side, and his impact in midfield is highlighted by his impressive defensive stats, with Palhinha topping the Premier League charts for tackles with 129 this season.
Palhinha is tied down to a long-term contract at Fulham after signing a five-year deal following his move last summer, but the London side is growing increasingly worried that he could force a move at the end of the season.
In other news, Major update on Johan Lange’s Aston Villa future as the deal agreed
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Aston Villa’s move for the £40m star ‘could happen quite quickly at Villa Park
Journalist Dean Jones has suggested that the £40m Aston Villa target is ‘one to keep an eye on’ when the summer transfer window opens.
Aston Villa could move quickly for Orkun Kökçü in the summer transfer window, journalist Dean Jones has hinted to GIVEMESPORT.
The 22-year-old is a highly-rated youngster currently plying his trade in the Netherlands.
Aston Villa news – Orkun Kökçü
Kökçü has been heavily linked with a move away from Feyenoord ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to The Mirror, Villa are leading the race to sign Kökçü, who could cost in the region of £40m, but they face competition from five other Premier League clubs.
The report claims that the Turkish midfielder is tipped to lift the player-of-the-year award at the end of the season – the 22-year-old is already captaining the Dutch side.
Kökçü has scored eight goals and provided 2 assists in the Eredivisie this season, as per FBref.
The same statistics site shows that only Dusan Tadic has played more key passes than Kökçü in the whole league, but the latter ranks first for progressive passes.
It would certainly be an impressive signing for Unai Emery and will add much-needed squad depth if the Midlands club does qualify for Europe at the end of the campaign.
What has Jones said about Kökçü?
Jones has suggested that Villa’s pursuit of Kökçü is an interesting one and certainly something to keep an eye on.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: “Yeah it’s a really interesting pursuit and one we’re going to need to keep an eye on. I get the feeling that things could happen quite quickly at the end of the season if they pursue this. He’s a highly rated player that a lot of clubs are chasing.”
Who else is taking a look at Kökçü?
According to The Mirror, a host of clubs were recently in attendance at a Feyenoord game to watch the Turkish international.
West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Leicester City, and Manchester United scouts were reportedly at the game.
It’s also understood that Arsenal are interested in the 22-year-old and could make a move in the summer transfer window.
Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan recently explained that multiple Premier League clubs have been taking a look at Kökçü, adding Liverpool to the list.
He said: “I think a lot of clubs are after Orkun Kökcü. There were already a number of clubs. Leicester City, Brighton, and a number of other clubs from that region. I think more and more top clubs are now looking at him.
“In recent weeks, the stands have been packed with scouts, including from the top six of the Premier League. Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Liverpool; everyone had scouts there.”
