'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAUACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABkAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQgQAAEEAgEEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAIBAwURAAQTBhIUISIxQQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAURAAMAAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAhBBESQXH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AM/awRUb1O5Ba2mRhJwrpOPvucpgqh2qoogiN/H0tWmUNaBgvGZvUcvjG6eJE+vxMYyhx5pN6hVA2uvijAcitKSgWbs+B37PZJz/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Former Premier League star Jamie Redknapp has heaped praise on Liverpool and Manchester United target Joao Palhinha, saying that the midfielder has been an exceptional signing for Fulham.
Palinha, who joined Fulham from Sporting Lison for £20 million last summer, has been a regular under Marco Silva this season. According to reports from Portugal (via Express), his displays for Fulham have impressed Liverpool and Manchester United, with both teams looking to bolster their midfield this summer.
Amid reports of Palhinha’s summer exit, former Reds midfielder Redknapp assessed the player’s performance this season, saying that he knows how to command respect in midfield. On Sky Sports Premier League, Redknapp said:
“He has been a brilliant signing. £20 million. He has got a real knowledge and nous of where he should be. He picks the right pass. He has a real presence about him. He is a fantastic signing for them.”
Sporting are reportedly entitled to 10% of the profit should the Whites decide to sell Palhinha. So, Fulham are likely to demand a handsome fee from prospective suitors if they make the decision to cash in on him this summer.
The Portugal international has featured in 35 games for the Craven Cottage outfit this season, scoring four times across competitions. His contract with Fulham runs out in 2027.
Manchester United and Liverpool eyeing move for Jean-Clair Todibo
Apart from Joao Palhinha, Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly set to lock horns for the services of French defender Jean-Clair Todibo.
According to Get French Football News, the Premier League heavyweights are interested in the defender from French club Nice and could make their moves this summer. It has been reported that the Ligue 1 outfit want around £26.5 million for the versatile defender.
Both Manchester United and Liverpool could use reinforcements at the back. With Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof facing uncertain futures, Todibo could serve as a solid backup for the first-choice centre-back pairing of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.
Similarly, the Merseysiders could use someone who's less injury-prone than Joe Gomez and Joel Matip to cover Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate at centre-back. Additionally, as Todibo can also operate as a full-back, he could come in for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Apart from Liverpool and Manchester United, Newcastle United are also keeping tabs on the 23-year-old defender. Todibo has played 99 games for Nice since February 2021, scoring twice.
