Fulham break silence on Joao Palhinha transfer after reports West Ham would trigger ‘release clause’ for midfielder

WEST HAM could bid big for Fulham’s Joao Palinha to replace Declan Rice.

TalkSPORT suggest the £60million anchorman has a release clause amid previous links to Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Fulham hero Joao Palhinha has been lined with West Ham after talk that Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd were also interestedRex

The Portugal midfielder, 27, only joined Fulham on a five-year deal from Sporting Lisbon last summer for £20m.

And Hammers’ chief David Moyes has been impressed by how Palinha has adjusted to the Premier League.

Moyes’ newly-crowned Europa Conference League winners have accepted skipper Rice is moving on.

Arsenal are favourites to sign the England midfielder, despite Bayern Munich and possibly Chelsea also being keen.

But West Ham are demanding a British record transfer fee of around £115m for the 41-cap England midfielder, 24.

Club chairman David Sullivan confirmed they won’t stand in Rice’s way.

He told talkSPORT: “We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going. You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season.”

Finding a player to match Rice’s all-round quality would be virtually impossible for Moyes.

But Palinha would add solidity through the middle after helping Fulham to a 10th-placed finish on their Prem return.

Talk of Chelsea or Arsenal bidding for the Lisbon-born ace has faded.

But in March there was strong speculation Liverpool and United would d target him in this transfer window.