---
title: "Wolves ‘missed a trick’ by not signing Joao Palhinha"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/joao-palhinha-fulham-latest-transfer-rumours-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Chloe Chadwick"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2023-03-07T07:35:41Z"
modified: "2023-03-07T07:35:41Z"
---

# Wolves ‘missed a trick’ by not signing Joao Palhinha

**[Wolverhampton Wanderers](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wolves-news/) ‘missed a trick’ by not signing Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha last summer, according to journalist [Ryan Taylor](https://twitter.com/RyanTaylorSport?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor).**

### The Lowdown: Palhinha turned down

Sporting CP’s former player made the move to the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) and Craven Cottage in [July 2022](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joao-palhinha/transfers/spieler/257455), but prior to his transfer, he could have easily been on his way to Molineux.

The [Express and Star](https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2022/07/04/wolves-pursuing-midfield-targets-after-declining-move-for-joao-palhinha/) report that the 27-year-old did hold talks and was offered to the Midlands outfit thanks to being a client of Jorge Mendes, who the club have a strong connection with, but the hierarchy declined the chance to recruit him.

The Portuguese international also later [claimed](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/19084105/joao-palhinha-fulham-transfer-wolves/amp/) that he never considered joining any other club than Fulham, with Bruno Lage being in charge at the time as opposed to [Julen Lopetegui](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/julen-lopetegui/).

### The Latest: Taylor’s comments

Speaking to [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/wolves-transfer-news-missed-trick-20m-portugal-star-molineux/), Taylor suggested that Wolves made a mistake by not accepting the opportunity to land Palhinha. He said:

“It was interesting because Wolves tried to do that deal, but they then went ahead with Nunes.

“Ultimately, everyone was saying ‘Matheus Nunes, what a signing’. But I feel like Wolves maybe missed a trick with Palhinha and Wolves fans have certainly made that known now.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=”419108″\]

### The Verdict: Worth another attempt

Palhinha is Fulham’s [top-performing](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/170/Show/England-Fulham) defensive player and so it would definitely be worth Wolves attempting another deal should the opportunity arise.

The Lisbon native currently ranks in the [99th](https://fbref.com/en/players/a78ff07f/Joao-Palhinha) percentile for most tackles made by midfielders in Europe and is averaging [2.1](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/322774/Show/Jo%C3%A3o-Palhinha) aerial wins per top-flight 90 minutes.

Standing at 6 foot 3, he would also add a different dimension to the midfield with his height and physical presence in the air.

Palhinha has even been [dubbed](https://twitter.com/zachlowy/status/1487546379882926087?s=46&t=cVYwodEwJ5KqH22eIl4UYA) a ‘Casemiro-esque’ player by journalist [Zach Lowy](https://twitter.com/ZachLowy) and he would be the ideal successor for Ruben Neves should the captain depart at the end of the season.

\[freshpress-poll id=”361491″\]