nd so there was gentle on the finish of the tunnel in spite of everything for Marco Silva.

The Fulham supervisor will need to have appeared round at moments through the switch window and questioned whether or not he can be the membership’s solely prized asset left by the point the vultures had lastly flown off.

Tying Harrison Reed and, significantly, Joao Palhinha right down to long-term contract extensions can do greater than merely carry the temper at Fulham. It could make up for a summer time window through which the membership’s switch technique appeared reactive and, at instances, inactive.

After Aleksandar Mitrovic was bought to Al-Hilal, Silva stated publicly that his facet wanted a brand new striker, regardless of the actual fact that they had simply signed Raul Jimenez from Wolves.

He was then adamant that Fulham needed to “sign at least five players” within the ultimate week of the window. They failed on each counts.

Previous Fulham managers have expressed frustration when the present homeowners have proven perceived slowness in switch dealings. Yet sporting director Tony Khan confirmed power of character in dealing with the Palhinha scenario.

Fulham all the time insisted that they wouldn’t promote the Portuguese worldwide and not using a substitute. He duly trudged again to Munich Airport and returned to England, regardless of having been pictured in a Bayern shirt after having a medical.

Palhinha’s new Fulham contract till 2028, with the choice for an extra yr, doesn't finish the Bavarian giants’ curiosity. They could nicely return in January.

It does settle Palhinha, although, and the absence of a launch clause offers Fulham essential bargaining leverage. Now the tackling maestro will both keep or finally depart for absolutely greater than the £56million Bayern bid for him.

READ MORE

Palhinha spoke of “commitment” and “dedication” in a press release about his new contract, and his professionalism is past doubt.

But the fantastic thing about the participant is that for simply £20m final summer time, Fulham made arguably the signing of the season moreover Erling Haaland to Manchester City.

While convincing Reed to place pen to paper is critical too, a brand new contract for Palhinha brings new hope for Fulham.