United have been given green light to sign Casemiro alternative but there's a catch

Manchester United may have just been given the go-ahead to try and sign one of the best players currently plying his trade outside of the Premier League's traditional top six.

With Casemiro's form taking a nose-dive from the heights of last season even before he was ruled out through injury at the beginning of November and Sofyan Amrabat yet to convince he has the required quality to cut it at United, a new defensive midfielder must be near the top of Erik ten Hag's shopping list heading into the January sales. Kobbie Mainoo's emergence has negated the need for a fresh face in the role somewhat, but with the academy graduate still learning on the job a more experienced head would be beneficial for United.

And a defensive midfielder who has regularly been linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent years may just have become more attainable.

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Fulham's Joao Palhinha has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water following his £20million move from Sporting Lisbon in 2022. Regularly impressing in Marco Silva's midfield, the Portuguese destroyer's form saw him almost join Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich on transfer deadline day only for the move to fall through.

The move was contingent on Fulham signing a replacement for Palhinha, but with the clock ticking the Londoners just ran out of time. Reports suggest Palhinha had even already travelled to Germany for his medical after a fee was agreed with Bayern - meaning the midfielder could be available once again in the January transfer window should a similar bid be made.

Joao Palhinha has impressed since joining Premier League outfit Fulham

And, speaking ahead of Fulham’s clash with Arsenal on Sunday, Fulham boss Silva said he would like to add more depth to his squad next month. "What we can do behind the scenes to improve our squad is of course something I would like to see, I’m open for it and I want it as well," he said.

"My job is to focus on the players we have and if we have 19 or 20 players, my job is to push them, make them go forward and to demand more and more every time.

"I would like to see a little bit more consistency. This is what I would like to see in the next months. It is important (to build squad depth). It is going to happen where we have injuries and the more of the same quality overall that you have I think will be better for us."

The money Fulham would generate from selling prized asset Palhinha would no doubt help Silva in that quest. The fee the west Londoners agreed with Bayern was reported to be around £55million, which would go a long way for any side hoping to add to their ranks.

But for United, Financial Fair Play concerns will once again present a hurdle in the coming transfer window. The club set a budget of around £120million over the summer due to FFP concerns, although the kitty was added to from player sales.

That means, once again, the Reds may need to make sales before being able to bring in any new faces. United are open to the departures of five players who would surely create plenty of space within the wage budget for a signing or two should any number of them leave.

If they can pull it off, the signing of Palhinha would be a no-brainer.