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Aston Villa have £60m in bank to complete 'outstanding' Joao Palhinha transfer as Fulham speculation emerges
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Aston Villa “have got the money” to pay £60million for Fulham star Joao Palhinha, according to Alan Hutton.
On 7 May, Football Insider reported that Fulham want £60milion for the 27-year-old Portugal midfielder, who’s had an incredible debut season at Craven Cottage since his summer move from Sporting CP.
It is understood that Villa are willing to match Fulham’s valuation and are prepared to battle Tottenham, Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich for his signature.
Hutton’s been impressed with Palhinha’s debut season in the Premier League and believes he’d be a very good addition to Unai Emery’s team ahead of the 2023/24 season.
“Palhinha’s had an outstanding season for Fulham,” Hutton told Villa News. “He’s been an integral part of what they’ve done and how well they’ve played this season.
“He loves winning the ball back but as well as that, he can play. Obviously, he tends to give the ball to players around him who can hurt teams but I think you need somebody like that within your team.
“Villa need more options in midfield. If you look at when Boubacar Kamara was out and then you have Douglas Luiz and John McGinn, they need a little bit of help in there.
“£60million is normally the going price nowadays. It just seems to be normal to be talking in those figures. You don’t really see anyone go for £10million now, its £60million or higher at that level.
“Villa have got the money to pay it and he will make them better.
“It’ll be interesting to see if Fulham sell to what they might see as a rival. But that being said, Villa will want to kick on next season.”
Palhinha has played 37 times in all competitions this season for Fulham, scoring four goals.
The deep-lying midfielder has completed 4.3 tackles per game this season, which is more than any other player in the Premier League [WhoScored].
In other Aston Villa news, Emery could get rid of this player who he started at Wolves last week.