Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all interested in Fulham star

Arsenal moved a step closer to the Premier League title with a 3-0 win over Fulham on Sunday. 

Goals from Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard gave the visitors victory at Craven Cottage, maintaining Arsenal’s five-point lead at the top of the table.

Manager Mikel Arteta will have been pleased with his side’s performance against their London rivals, but it appears that the Spaniard may have had one eye on one of The Cottagers’ stars.

According to The Sun, Arsenal are one of a number of top Premier League clubs interested in Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha.

The report claims that Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are also all interested in the 27-year-old, who has impressed in west London this season.

Fulham boss Marco Silva is said to be determined to keep hold of the Portuguese, who has also attracted interest from Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Palhinha joined The Cottagers from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon last summer, and has already made 28 appearances across all competitions so far this term.

Palhinha has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs

The defensive midfielder is contracted to the Craven Cottage side until 2027 which puts his current employers under very little pressure to sell, but the Portugal international has still attracted interest from several other clubs.

The midfielder, who has made more tackles than any other midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues this season, has played a key role for Silva’s side as they have exceeded expectations.

Fulham currently sit eighth in the Premier League table and have been tipped to mount a challenge for European qualification this term.

The likes of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Frenkie de Jong are likely to be the subject of significant interest from Europe’s top clubs this summer, but Palhinha could be a good alternative option if those players aren’t available.

During his debut season in English football so far, the Portuguese has scored four goals in 28 matches across all competitions, including a stunning long-range effort against Leeds United in the FA Cup last month.