Aston Villa reportedly turned down the chance to sign Joao Palhinha from Sporting Lisbon before the 27-year-old moved to Fulham in the summer transfer window.
Aston Villa he reportedly turned down the chance to sign João Straw from Sporting Lisbon in the summer transfer period.
The Portuguese international became a key member of the Sporting XI Ruben Amorim and made 32 league appearances in their title-winning 2020–21 Premier League campaign.
Palhinha’s exploits led to links with the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers among others, however Fulham eventually won the race to bring the midfielder to England.
Since establishing himself in the Cottagers’ XI, Palhinha played a starring role Marc Silvaof the team, scoring two goals in 14 Premier League appearances.
The 27-year-old has also made a Premier League-high 65 tackles this season, 13 more than the nearest rival. Tyler Adams of Leeds United.
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However, things could have been very different for Palhinha, with Football Insider claiming Aston Villa turned down the chance to sign the winger in the summer.
The report claims that Villa were offered the chance to sign Palhinha from Sporting, but the West Midlands outfit chose not to bring him to Villa Park.
As a result, Fulham went on to agree a £17.2m deal for Palhinha, who is under contract at Craven Cottage until 2027 and has propelled Fulham into the top half of the Premier League table.
Silva’s side have collected 19 points from their opening 15 games to sit ninth in the pre-World Cup standings, winning five, drawing four and losing six in the top flight so far.
Palhinha was also selected for Portugal’s 2022 World Cup squad, and was an unused substitute in their 4-0 friendly win over Nigeria on Thursday evening.
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Portugal face South Korea, Ghana and Uruguay in Group H, and Palhinha will play a starting role when the Selecao kick off their world campaign against the African nation on November 24.
Having missed the chance to add Palhinha to their ranks, Villa signed Leander Dendoncker of Wolves and Boubacar Camara with a free transfer from Marseille, while defending the interest Douglas Louis.
Luiz was thought to have been the subject of three deadline day bids from Arsenal ranging from £20m to £25m, but the Gunners’ approaches were rebuffed as the Brazilian stayed at Villa Park.
Luiz has since signed a new long-term deal until 2026, having previously been due to become a free agent in the summer as he competes with Kamara, Dendoncker, John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey, Wonderful turtles i Morgan Sanson for midfield positions.
However, Villa went into the World Cup break 12th in the Premier League table, three places and one point worse than Palhinha’s Fulham.
Source: Aston Villa ‘rejected chance to sign Fulham’s Joao Palhinha’
