Arsenal are looking to make a fresh investment in midfield ahead of the January transfer window.
Arsenal love looking at Premier League proven players and with previous links to Douglas Luiz, it’s probably no surprise to see Arsenal also looking at Fulham midfielder João Palhinha.
At 29 years old, the Portuguese midfielder is approaching the latter stages of his career, yet his qualities have caught the eye of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. With concerns over the injury-prone Thomas Partey, Palhinha is seen as a potential replacement, but the high cost and the player’s age raise questions about whether Arsenal’s resources could be better invested elsewhere.
Palhinha has been a stalwart in Fulham’s midfield, showcasing impressive defensive abilities and a strong physical presence. His tenacity in tackling, ability to read the game, and adept ball recovery make him a valuable asset in defensive midfield roles. These qualities align with Arteta’s vision for a robust and resilient Arsenal midfield, especially in games where a defensive-minded approach is crucial.
The interest in Palhinha has been reported by Connor Humm, with other sources close to the player confirming Arsenal’s interest.
One of the primary concerns surrounding Palhinha’s potential move to Arsenal is his age. Turning 29 in the summer, the Portuguese midfielder may have a limited number of prime years left in his career. This raises questions about the long-term viability of such a significant investment, especially considering the evolving nature of football where younger talents often dominate transfer markets.
Fulham’s reported rejection of a £47million bid from Bayern Munich indicates that Palhinha’s services won’t come cheap. With a price tag exceeding £50million, Arsenal would need to carefully evaluate whether the midfielder justifies such a substantial financial commitment, particularly given his age and the potential resale value.
While Palhinha’s defensive prowess is undoubtedly appealing, Arsenal’s interest in him also sheds light on Arteta’s desire for the option to pair Declan Rice with another defensive-minded midfielder in certain games. However, the hefty price tag attached to Palhinha could prompt Arsenal to explore alternative options that provide similar qualities at a more reasonable cost.
Edu Gaspar could utilise his links to Brazil by targeting midfielder Andre. He’d likely cost about half as much as Palhinha, but of course present more risk given he has only played in the Brazilian league.