Aston Villa reportedly turned down the chance to sign Joao Palhinha from Sporting Lisbon in the summer transfer window.
The Portugal international became a key member of the Sporting XI under Ruben Amorim and made 32 league appearances in their title-winning 2020-21 Primeira Liga campaign.
Palhinha's exploits led to links with the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers among others, but Fulham ultimately won the race to bring the midfielder to England.
Since establishing himself in the Cottagers' XI, Palhinha played a starring role for Marco Silva's side, scoring two goals in 14 Premier League appearances.
The 27-year-old has also made a league-high 65 tackles in the Premier League this term, 13 more than closest challenger Tyler Adams of Leeds United.
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However, things could have been very different for Palhinha, as Football Insider claims that Aston Villa rejected the chance to sign the lynchpin over the summer.
The report claims that Villa were offered the opportunity to sign Palhinha from Sporting, but the West Midlands side opted against bringing him to Villa Park.
As a result, Fulham swooped in to conclude a £17.2m deal for Palhinha, who is under contract at Craven Cottage until 2027 and has propelled Fulham to the top half of the Premier League table.
Silva's side have taken 19 points from their first 15 games to sit ninth in the standings ahead of the World Cup, winning five, drawing four and losing six in the top flight so far.
Palhinha was also selected for the Portugal squad for the 2022 World Cup, and he was an unused substitute in their 4-0 friendly win over Nigeria on Thursday evening.
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Portugal will take on South Korea, Ghana and Uruguay in Group H, and Palhinha will eye a starting role when the Selecao open their World Cup campaign against the African nation on November 24.
Having passed up the chance to add Palhinha to their ranks, Villa instead signed Leander Dendoncker from Wolves and Boubacar Kamara on a free transfer from Marseille, while also fending off interest in Douglas Luiz.
Luiz was thought to have been the subject of three deadline-day bids from Arsenal ranging from £20m to £25m, but the Gunners' approaches were knocked back as the Brazilian remained at Villa Park.
Luiz has since signed a new long-term contract until 2026, having previously been due to become a free agent in the summer, as he competes with Kamara, Dendoncker, John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey, Marvelous Nakamba and Morgan Sanson for midfield places.
However, Villa entered the World Cup break 12th in the Premier League table, three places and one point worse off than Palhinha's Fulham.
Ben Knapton
