Manchester United are interested in signing Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha - a player who is already on Liverpool's transfer radar.
The Portugal international, 27, has impressed since joining Fulham from Sporting Lisbon last summer, making 26 Premier League appearances. He has played an important role in Marco Silva's side all but confirming their top-fight status for another season.
Palhinha has proven himself at Premier League level and will not come cheap. Fulham are expected to slap a £60million price tag on the midfielder, just a year after paying £20m for his services. That could prove too expensive for both Man Utd and Liverpool.
As reported by The Sun, Man Utd have joined Liverpool in the race to sign Palhinha. It's believed Fulham will reluctantly sell the former Sporting star if their valuation is met and are preparing for life without him, with Porto's Mateus Uribe on their radar.
Erik ten Hag has significantly improved Man Utd's midfield since his appointment as manager a year ago by bringing in the likes of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen. Yet suspensions and injuries have confirmed Man Utd need more depth in this position.
There are question marks over the futures of Fred and Scott McTominay - with Newcastle interested in the latter star - while Marcel Sabitzer's loan expires at the end of the season. Man Utd do not have an option to buy the Bayern Munich star this summer.
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That has led Ten Hag to take a look at Palhinha. The holding midfielder turns 28 in July and came through the ranks at Sporting. He spent time on loan at Moreirense, Belenenses and Braga before firmly cementing himself in Sporting's starting XI.
Palhinha played an important role in Sporting's league title triumph two years ago - earning a place in the Primeria Liga Team of the Year - before enjoying another solid term. The persuaded Fulham to snap him up on their return to Premier League nearly a year ago.
At international level, Palhinha has won 20 senior caps for Portugal and represented his county at Euro 2020 and the World Cup in Qatar.
Liverpool might be a more likely destination for Palhinha, as their need for a central midfielder is more desperate. The Community Shield winners will finish the season without a major honour and are currently languishing in eighth in the Premier League table.
Liverpool's weakest department is their ageing midfield, with the likes of Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson in the latter stages of their respective careers. Alex Oxalde-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner are all out of contract this summer.
Yet it's unclear if they or Man Utd would be willing to pay £60m for Palhinha. If they do, Uribe would be a fine replacement. The Colombia international, 32, has made more than 500 professional appearances for club and country during his successful career. He is out of contract in the summer, but Atletico Madrid and Lazio are also after him.
