Joao Palhinha is reportedly expected to sign for Fulham this week and leave Wolves in the lurch.

According to a new report from O Jogo this morning, the Sporting CP midfielder is set to join the newly promoted Premier League side ahead of Wanderers.

Sporting CP v Gil Vicente FC - Liga Portugal Bwin
Photo by Joao Rico/vi/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Wolves have chased Palhinha for a long time.

But it seems the club will now lose out, with the Cottagers having stole in. It is thought he will sign a four or five-year deal.

Palhinha had wanted to get things sorted before he went on holiday.

But Fulham’s entry into the race complicated things.

It is stated that Wolves have not given up on the 26-year-old, but the suggestion is that the club are lagging behind Fulham and are set to lose out.

Sheffield United v Fulham - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images

It is thought Sporting have accepted their proposal of £17 million, and the player will earn around £41,000-a-week which is more than double what he gets with Sporting.

Apparently, Palhinha chose to green light a move to Fulham because they were able to quickly reach an understanding with Sporting and overtake Wolves in the race.

Wolves look to have failed in Joao Palhinha pursuit, with midfielder set to complete Fulham move this week

It is looking as though Wolves have failed in their mission to sign Palhinha, after all the rumours.

There have been lots of twists and turns and maybe there could still be a couple more.

Porto v Sporting de Lisboa - Taca de Portugal Semi Final
Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

But the indications over the past couple of weeks have generally been that Fulham are going to steal him.

If that does happen, then Fosun have serious questions to answer. They will need to respond in a big way, because supporters are rapidly losing faith in their suitability to take the club forwards.

Perhaps Wolves will move for Al-Musrati as an alternative, as was suggested last week.

Related Topics

Close