German giants Bayern Munich are set to make a lucrative offer for Fulham central midfielder Joao Palhinha to replace the outgoing Ryan Gravenberch.

According to German newspaper Bild, the Portuguese midfielder is now Thomas Tuchel’s preferred option to fill the vacant number six role at the Allianz Arena.

Fulham set to demand huge price for Joao Palhinha

With less than 48 hours left to go in the summer transfer window, Fulham will demand a colossal asking fee for Palhinha- thought to be up to $87m- and will only negotiate a deal if they find a realistic, top-quality replacement at such short notice.

Palhinha only joined the Cottagers last summer from Sporting Lisbon but quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s best defensive midfielders. In the past 12 months, the 28-year-old’s stock has risen so quickly that Fulham could be set to pocket four times the sum they paid for the Portuguese.

Due to his physical strength and intelligent defensive mind, Palhinha has earned comparisons in Germany to former Bayern star Javi Martinez.

With potentially his last kick for the club, Palhinha scored his penalty in Fulham’s shootout win over Tottenham in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.