West Ham United have reportedly identified Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha as their top transfer target to replace Declan Rice this summer.
The Hammers are resigned to losing captain Rice, with chairman David Sullivan revealing earlier this month that the 24-year-old has a gentleman's agreement to seek pastures new ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
Rice has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal, who have already seen an opening offer worth up to £90m rejected by West Ham.
The Gunners are expected to table an improved offer worth at least £100m, but they could face stern competition from fellow Premier League sides Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.
West Ham are said to have already drawn up a list of alternatives should they agree to cash in on Rice, with Palhinha, Ajax's Edson Alvarez and Southampton's James Ward-Prowse all on their radar.
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However, journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that Palhinha has emerged as West Ham's top candidate to replace Rice, and the East Londoners are preparing their first approach for the Fulham midfielder.
Romano adds that a proposed deal for the 27-year-old to move to the London Stadium will 'not be easy' to complete considering that the Cottagers forked out £20m to sign the midfielder from Sporting Lisbon just 12 months ago.
Fulham are also under no immediate pressure to sell the Portugal international, who still has four years remaining on his contract which does not include a release clause.
Palhinha himself has insisted that he intends to remain at Craven Cottage next season and has not considered a transfer away from the club this summer.
Speaking in an interview with Eleven Sports, the midfielder said: "Right now I'm very happy here [at Fulham] and I want to stay here. I think [the Premier League] suits my football."
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Palhinha enjoyed an impressive debut campaign with Fulham in 2022-23 and quickly adapted to the rigours of Premier League football, starting 35 out of 38 league matches and helping Marco Silva's side secure a top-10 finish.
Fulham's No.26 completed a total of 147 tackles in the Premier League, at least 47 more than any other player in the division, while he also chipped in with four goals across all competitions.
West Ham are not the only club to have been credited with an interest in Palhinha, as the likes of Man United, Liverpool and Barcelona are also believed to be closely monitoring the midfielder's situation.
David Moyes's side, who won the Europa Conference League earlier this month, will hope that qualification for next season's Europa League can persuade Palhinha to move to the London Stadium.
Oliver Thomas
