Fulham have decided not to sell Joao Palhinha in the January transfer window, which could be good news for Arsenal’s hopes of signing him.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: Joao Palhinha of Fulham celebrates after scoring their team's fourth penalty in the penalty shoot out during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage on August 29, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Joao Palhinha of Fulham celebrates after scoring their team’s fourth penalty in the penalty shoot out during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage on August 29, 2023. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Florian Plettenberg reports that Joao Palhinha and his agency have been informed that a winter transfer will not be possible for him.

Palhinha is reportedly disappointed, as his plan was to join Bayern Munich this season. But after their failure to complete a deal in the summer, it seems they’re not set to revive their move this month.

In a roundabout way, this could be good news for Arsenal. The Gunners reportedly hold an interest in Palhinha, but they had little chance of competing for the deal this month.

Palhinha is now set to remain with Fulham until the end of the season, and perhaps the Gunners could have a better shot at the transfer then.

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PORTO, PORTUGAL - OCTOBER 13: João Palhinha of Portugal during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between Portugal and Slovakia at Estadio do Dragao on October 13, 2023 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
PORTO, PORTUGAL: João Palhinha of Portugal during the UEFA EURO 2024 European qualifier match between Portugal and Slovakia at Estadio do Dragao on October 13, 2023. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

The Telegraph, the Evening Standard, and Football.London wrote in December that multiple English sides were tracking Palhinha.

Though none of them specifically named Arsenal, Fabrizio Romano then confirmed that the Gunners were one of the teams that appreciated the player.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Joao Palhinha of Fulham scores the team's first goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth round match between Fulham and Leeds United at Craven Cottage on February 28, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Joao Palhinha of Fulham scores the team’s first goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth round match between Fulham and Leeds United at Craven Cottage on February 28, 2023. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Palhinha has performed excellently for Fulham, so the Gunners could be willing to overlook his age (28) and relative inexperience at the top level.

Bayern were willing to pay around £56m for Palhinha in the summer, but it’s unclear whether Fulham would accept the same amount this summer.

Arsenal are probably going to need midfield additions this year and Palhinha appears to be a strong one.

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