Liverpool 'in talks' with Joao Palhinha's agent ahead of possible January swoop

With the January transfer window now looming, one player being linked with Liverpool once again is Fulham defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha.

According to TalkSport, the Reds, alongside rivals Manchester United and Arsenal, are both mulling over a potential £80-million swoop for the talented Portuguese midfielder, who is believed to prefer remaining in the Premier League.

Palhinha, 28, looked all set to move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in the summer, but found himself stranded at the airport as the deal collapsed on deadline day. Since then, his standout performances have reignited interest from several clubs.

It's believed that Liverpool, despite significant summer midfield acquisitions - including Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo - remain keen on midfield reinforcements.

A report from HITC says that talks have remained ongoing between the player's representatives and a number of clubs, including Liverpool, as they monitor the situation.

This is despite the collapsed Bayern Munich deal on deadline day leading Palhinha to extend his contract with the West London club until 2028.

Long-term admiration

Known for his ability to disrupt play, track runners, and win crucial tackles, Palhinha's potential addition to Liverpool's midfield alongside Mac Allister and Szoboszlai could significantly bolster their title ambitions, as uncertainties persist regarding Endo's long-term suitability for the role.

As reported in GOAL, Jurgen Klopp's admiration for Palhinha dates back to the player's arrival at Fulham in 2022, with Liverpool scouts closely monitoring his performances.

However, with Fulham only considering bids in excess of £60 million and the Reds likely to enter the market for a centre-back in the light of Joel Matip's potentially season-ending injury, whether a move for yet another midfielder will be a priority this January remains to be seen.