Man Utd want Joao Palhinha but face transfer battle with FIVE Premier League rivals including Arsenal and Chelsea

MANCHESTER UNITED are eyeing Fulham star Joao Palhinha to bolster their midfield this summer.

United, Newcastle, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are all watching the Portuguese.

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But boss Marco Silva is determined to resist bidding for the star.

Fulham initially paid £17m to sign Palhinha from Sporting Lisbon last year but his performances so far this season have more than doubled his value to over £40m.

He has made more tackles than any other midfielder in Europe’s big five leagues and has been the heartbeat of Silva’s team as they battle to qualify for Uefa competition next season.

Palhinha’s price tag is also boosted by the fact that his contract has more than four years left, with the club holding an option for a further year.

Due to his age – he turns 28 in July – the Fulham star may not be the first choice of top clubs to sign younger players.

Liverpool are also said to be confident of signing Palhinha’s Portuguese team-mate Matheus Nunes from Wolves and possibly his compatriot Ruben Neves to renew their midfield.

But Moises Caicedo, another target for the Reds as well as Chelsea and Arsenal, has signed a new contract with Brighton that sees his price tag skyrocket.

And even if the Ecuador international leaves the south coast, only one club will be able to sign him.

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So Palhinha will be high on the list of candidates as the biggest clubs in England look to bolster their midfield options.

But he will be unavailable to Fulham for tonight’s clash with Arsenal as he is serving the second game of a two-game ban for collecting ten yellow cards.

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