Liverpool and Man United join race to sign Premier League midfielder

Liverpool moved top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. 

The hosts took the lead at Selhurst Park when Jean-Philippe Mateta won and then converted a penalty, but Mohamed Salah’s 200th Liverpool goal drew the Reds level shortly after.

Substitute Harvey Elliott then secured all three points for Jurgen Klopp’s side with an injury-time winner, much to the disappointment of Palace boss Roy Hodgson.

The win took Liverpool to the summit of the top flight table, and Arsenal missed out on the chance to return to top spot as they were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa later on Saturday.

Off the pitch, Liverpool have entered the race to sign one of the Premier League’s most in-demand players.

According to TEAMtalk, both Liverpool and Manchester United are interested in Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha.

The report claims that both the Red Devils and the Reds have joined rivals Arsenal in the race to sign the Portugal international.

Palhinha is a target for several Premier League clubs

Palhinha, 28, joined the Cottagers from Portuguese side Sporting CP last summer and has since established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

The Portuguese has made a total of 54 appearances for Fulham across all competitions, and was close to leaving Craven Cottage over the summer when German champions Bayern Munich attempted to sign him.

Despite the Bundesliga champions still holding an interest, it is claimed that the player himself would rather stay put in the Premier League, potentially putting Bayern at a disadvantage in the race for his signature.

Fulham paid just £18 million to sign Palhinha last summer, but the report claims that they will look to receive a fee in the region of £60 million for the player.

His current contract is set to run until the summer of 2028, but it appears almost certain that he will depart West London prior to that date.