By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

30th Aug, 2023 | 12:44pm

Sources: Bayern Munich ready Joao Palhinha move after West Ham bid submitted

Bayern Munich are stepping up their pursuit of Fulham midfielder João Palhinha, sources have told Football Insider.

It is believed the Bundesliga champions are now ready to test Fulham’s resolve to hang onto the Portuguese ace before the close of the transfer window on Friday (1 September).

Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel has made Palhinha his top target as he looks to add a defensive midfielder to his squad.

The 28-year-old has attracted the interest of a number of top clubs this summer following his brilliant debut season for Fulham last term.

Football Insider revealed earlier this summer (18 July) that West Ham saw a £45million bid for the midfielder rejected.

The Cottagers are reluctant to lose Palhinha, who scored the equaliser against Arsenal last week (26 August), so late in the window.

It is believed Marco Silva’s side will therefore look to resist Bayern’s overtures for the all-action midfielder.

Palhinha missed the first game of the new campaign with a shoulder problem but has since been restored to the lineup in the last three matches.

He played 90 minutes in Fulham’s League Cup penalty shoot-out triumph over Tottenham on Tuesday (29 August) in a sign that no move is imminent.

The 28-year-old has four years left to run on his contract at Craven Cottage and the west London outfit are keen to make a healthy profit after signing him for a reported £20million in 2022.

The ex-Sporting CP star played 40 games across all competitions as Fulham secured a 10th-placed finish in the Premier League last season.

Fulham have already lost one key man in the summer window – with Aleksandar Mitrovic leaving in a mega-money move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal.

In other news, Fulham loan update as £13million paperwork filed.