Newly-promoted Fulham are set to pip Wolverhampton Wanderers to the signing of Palhinha, despite reported interest from Manchester United, according to the front page of Portuguese outlet A Bola.
A defensive midfielder by trade, the Portuguese international racked up 27 appearances in the Primeira Liga this season, grabbing three goals in the process. Having been linked with Manchester City and United, it seems as though that interest has cooled in the time since, leaving Fulham and Wolves to fight it out for his signature.
And, as per reports from Portugal, it is Fulham that have jumped ahead in the queue for the 26-year-old, with the Cottagers just 'one step away' from completing a deal for the midfielder, ahead of an imminent agreement between the two clubs.
It is thought that any deal would set the new Premier League club back around 20m euros after bonuses were included, with Palhinha set to sign a four-year contract in the capital.
Neves' future up in the air
Part of the reason behind Fulham beating Wolves to an agreement with Sporting CP is the unclear future of midfielder Ruben Neves, who has two years left to run on his Wolves contract and is now entering the prime of his career.
Neves, often linked with Manchester United and Arsenal, has racked up 142 appearances in Black and Gold under Nuno Espirito Santo and Bruno Lage across his four seasons in the English top flight.
However, a move to Arsenal seems off the cards, with the Gunners having opted for Youri Tielemans this summer instead of the Wolves man, while Manchester United seem keen on Frenkie de Jong, though whether such a deal is feasible remains to be seen.
Should it prove not to be, they may once again move for Neves.