Newcastle join Manchester United in race for Sporting Lisbon star Joao Palhinha
According to Jornal de Noticias, via Sport Witness (h/t Manchester Evening News), Manchester United are expected to face competition from Newcastle United in the transfer race to sign Sporting Lisbon star Joao Palhinha.
The Red Devils did not see any new faces come through the doors at Old Trafford last month during the winter transfer window. This is despite the club sending out Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial on loan to Everton and Sevilla respectively. The midfield has been a weak link for Man United in recent years and needs reinforcements soon.
It is said that Man United recently sent scouts to watch Palhinha in action against Porto. The midfielder is a popular player in Portugal and is also a regular feature for the national side. A proven talent, he could add much to a rather unimaginative Red Devils midfield.
However, the scouts were sure to be left disappointed by Palhinha as the 26-year-old began the game on the bench. It was made worse later after the substitute was sent off in the fixture. As far as first impressions go, it could have been better.
Magpies obstacle for United
Despite the poor showing by the player in the game against Porto, the Old Trafford side are still interested in the midfielder. However, they are quite likely to face competition for Palhinha in the form of mega-rich Newcastle United, who had a stellar January transfer window.
The player has been linked to a move to the Premier League for quite some time now, but any English top-flight club will need to shell out €30m (despite his release clause of €60m) to prise the Portugal international away from Sporting Lisbon.
Midfield options are something United may need to look at as a priority, given the current situation at the club. It is not known whether van de Beek has a future at Old Trafford, while Paul Pogba is out of contract in the summer. There has not been any positive news regarding the Frenchman’s future at the club in recent times.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils’ interest in Palhinha has taken a hit with Newcastle stepping in line for the midfielder’s signature in the summer. The recent Saudi takeover at Tyneside means that the Magpies are not short of funds, and could splash it all out on the Sporting Lisbon man to bolster their squad.
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Man United, however, may have an advantage in securing Palhinha’s signature ahead of the new season if they manage to secure Champions League football next season. The club are currently in fourth place in the Premier League, which only increases their chances of securing a UCL spot in the summer.
Further, Newcastle will first need to survive the relegation battle at the bottom of the table and ensure top-flight football next season in order to convince the Sporting Lisbon star to swap Portugal for England. As it stands, Man United may just have an edge over the Magpies.
