Friday Fulham Stuff (03/08/12)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham have offer for winger Jarvis rejected by Wolves – report

Fulham have had a £4.5m bid for winger Matt Jarvis rejected by Wolves, according to The Sun.

West Ham are also believed to want the England international, but Wolves appear determined to keep their top players.

The Daily Mirror suggest Fulham are leading the chase to sign Ivory Coast striker Arouna Kone from Spanish club Levante.

The 28-year-old is reported to have snubbed moves to Russia and Qatar because he is keen to play in the Premier League.

The Daily Mail report that Blackburn are close to signing Fulham midfielder Dickson Etuhu and have moved ahead of the Whites in the race for Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes.

Meanwhile, former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti wants to sign Ashley Cole for Paris St-Germain, the Mirror say.

There has been speculation about the England left-back’s future because he is now in the final year of his Chelsea contract.

And it is claimed that Ancelotti is looking to capture him on a three-year deal.

Raheem Sterling is again linked with a move from Liverpool to Tottenham – this time by The Sun.

It is suggested that Spurs will offer £7m for the 17-year-old from Harlesden and that he would welcome a return to the capital.

Sterling was recently linked with a loan move back to QPR, who lost him when he left Loftus Road to join Liverpool in 2010.



http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/fulham-have-offer-for-winger-jarvis-rejected-by-wolves-report

[WhiteJC]

 
Rovers hope to net Fulham’s Etuhu

BLACKBURN Rovers are hoping to have Dickson Etuhu on board in time for this evening’s pre-season friendly in Holland – as they look set to make their seventh summer signing.

The Lancashire Telegraph understands Rovers were close to agreeing a fee for the Fulham midfielder last night, in the region of £1.5million, and are confident of sealing the deal today.

The 30-year-old Nigerian is keen to come to East Lancashire, having talked to former Cottagers team mate Danny Murphy, with personal terms understood to not be a problem.

Rovers were last night attempting to finalise the transfer with Fulham but were hopeful there would be no stumbling blocks.

Meanwhile Rovers have made a formal bid for Huddersfield Town hot shot Jordan Rhodes as they do battle with Premier League Fulham for his signature.

It is understood a bid for the 22-year-old Scottish international was made by Rovers yesterday, after being given the go-ahead by owners Venky’s.

It would take an offer in excess of £6million to land the highly-rated youngster, but Rovers are willing to offer a lucrative individual package in an attempt to see off their Premier League rivals.

Rovers have been quietly searching for a central midfielder to partner Murphy, since being rejected in their efforts to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Adrien Silva.

They have already added Leon Best, Murphy, Nuno Gomes, Fabio Nunes, Edinho and Paulo Jorge to their squad for the coming Championship campaign - and are planning a few more yet.

The addition of Etuhu is likely to be their last move in the midfield department, but two strikers and a versatile defender are still on their wish list.

Rovers travelled to Holland yesterday, ahead of their two games in three days this weekend.

Rovers play Go Ahead Eagles in Deventer this evening before travelling to NEC Nijmegen for a clash on Sunday.

Even if Etuhu is not signed in time for this evening, Rovers would hope to get pen to paper in time for their second match on tour.

The 30-year-old started his career at Manchester City, before signing for Preston in 2002 for £300,000.

He made more than 150 appearances for Preston in four years at the club, before enjoying spells at Norwich City and Sunderland.

The 6ft 2ins midfielder has been at Fulham since 2008 but has been told this summer he is surplus to requirements at Craven Cottage.



http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/9854011.Rovers_hope_to_net_Fulham___s_Etuhu/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Wolves scoff at Cottage offer

Fulham have reportedly had a £4.5million bid for Wolves winger Matt Jarvis turned down by the relegated outfit.

Cottagers boss Martin Jol is continuing to look for reinforcements to his squad this summer and he has become the latest top-flight chief to express an interest in Jarvis.

The 26-year-old has already been linked with a move to both Stoke City and Premier League new boys West Ham since the end of last season when the Molineux outfit dropped back into the Championship.

However Wolves' chief executive Jez Moxey is adamant they want to keep Jarvis and Sunderland striker target Steven Fletcher in order to bounce back with promotion at the first time of asking.

But if Jol increases his offer to meet the £6million valuation this summer, it could tempt Wolves to sell in order to use the money for new boss Stale Solbakken to plough back into his squad.

Wolves skipper Karl Henry has potentially boosted Fulham's bid to sign Jarvis because he admitted the uncertainty is 'driving everyone nuts' and not helping the players' prepare for the new season.


http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/wolves-scoff-at-cottage-offer-1450336.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
A Warm Welcome

The Fulham First Team squad were greeted by dignitaries from Crans-Montana at a reception following one of their training sessions this week. 

Crans-Montana, approximately 1500 metres above sea level in the heart of the Swiss Alps, is the picturesque location where the team will be based for a week-long pre-season camp prior to travelling to Nice for a friendly against OGC Nice this Saturday. 

The reception was kindly organised by MSM Football Management and hosted by Philippe Rubod, CEO of Crans-Montana Tourism (pictured with Martin Jol holding a signed Fulham shirt)

Fulham Football Club would like to thank the following people (pictured in the group photograph) for their warm welcome to Crans-Montana and their support during the tour.

-Walter Loser, Associate, MSM Football Management

-Mélanie Rey, Managing Director, MSM Football Management

-Philippe Rubod, CEO Crans-Montana Tourism

-Charles-André Bagnoud,  Delegate of the Randogne Commune

-Yves Roger Rey, General Secretary of the 6 Communes of Crans-Montana

-Manuel Espejo, Member of the Committee of Crans-Montana Tourism

-Yann Rochbach, Event and Activities Manager




http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/August/AWarmWelcome.aspx?

[WhiteJC]

 
Wolves deny £4.5m Fulham bid for Jarvis

Wolves today admitted holding talks with Fulham about Matt Jarvis – but denied receiving a £4.5m bid from them.

A report today claimed the west London club had lodged the offer for the once-capped England winger earlier this week.

But chief executive Jez Moxey said that while there had been talks with Fulham over Jarvis, those discussions hadn’t materialised into a bid.

“It’s just not true,” Moxey told the Express & Star. “I don’t know where that has come from.

“We spoke to them a long time ago but I can honestly say we haven’t had a bid from Fulham for Matt Jarvis.

“I am close to their chief executive Alistair Mackintosh and we’ve spoken a lot, so if there was that level of interest, I would know.”

It is understood that Fulham’s interest in the 26-year-old could well strengthen if they sell Clint Dempsey, however. But without the funds from the sale of the USA international, they cannot to do business at the level Wolves would be prepared to start negotiations.

Wolves are desperate to keep all their star players and are believed to value Jarvis, who has three years left on his contract, at £10m, while they threw out Sunderland’s £10m bid for Steven Fletcher earlier this week.

Jarvis was yesterday urged by boss Stale Solbakken to ignore all the speculation and focus on training and playing as there is no firm interest in him.

Meanwhile, the club is erecting a wall of silence over a bid for Michael Kightly, refusing to confirm or deny receiving the offer, which is believed to be £2m from Stoke.

Kightly is particularly vulnerable to a sale as he is into the final year of his contract.

Wolves have so far moved on Adlene Guedioura for £1m to Nottingham Forest, Sam Vokes for £500,000 to Burnley. Out on loan are Leigh Griffiths, who joined Hibernian until January, and last night Jake Cassidy returned to Tranmere for a similar period.

Jarvis is hoping to shake off a groin injury to play in tomorrow’s final pre-season friendly at Southampton. Kightly (toe), Carl Ikeme (knee) and Jamie O’Hara (hernia) are doubtful and George Elokobi (hamstring) and Steven Fletcher (ankle) are out.



Read more: http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2012/08/03/wolves-deny-4-5m-fulham-bid-for-jarvis/#ixzz22TiNosAf

[WhiteJC]

 
Wolves reject £4.5m Fulham bid for Jarvis - report
The Black Country outfit are ready to signal their intention to retain their star players this summer, as they aim to secure an instant return to the Premier League


Getty

Wolves have rejected a £4.5 million bid for winger Matt Jarvis from Fulham, according to The Mirror.

The 26-year-old has been the subject of widespread interest following the Black Country outfit's relegation to the Championship but is believed to be valued at closer to £6m by his club.

Jarvis scored eight Premier League goals in 37 games last season, despite Wolves dropping out of the Premier League after finishing 20th under former boss Terry Connor.

And new manager Stale Solbakken has recently admitted that he faces a battle to keep the wideman and team-mate Steven Fletcher at the club ahead of the new season.

Middlesbrough-born Jarvis received his first - and so far, only - England cap in 2011 after being called up by then-coach Fabio Capello for a friendly clash with Ghana.

He has been at Wolves since 2007, when he was brought in from Gillingham by Mick McCarthy.



http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/08/03/3284073/-?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham boss rules out move for Chelsea star


Yossi Benayoun

FULHAM boss Martin Jol has ruled out a move for Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun – but striker Romelu Lukaku remains on his radar.

The Israel international is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and has been linked with a switch to Craven Cottage.

Jol told the Chronicle earlier this week that he is still in the market for a central midfielder following the departure of skipper Danny Murphy to Blackburn Rovers, and has reportedly sounded out their neighbours about Benayoun's situation with a view to a possible loan move.

However, the 32-year-old is not believed to be among Jol's list of targets as he shapes his squad for the new campaign.

But the Chronicle understands the Dutchman remains interested in Benayoun's Blues team-mate Lukaku.

The young Belgian forward failed to make an impact in SW6 last season and is keen to go on loan to get regular football.

Jol said: “We're still looking to strengthen because we lost three strikers; Bobby [Zamora] in January and Andy [Johnson] and [Pavel] Pogrebnyak.

“We've got [Hugo] Rodallega and [Mladen] Petric and maybe we're still on the lookout for another one.”



Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-chelsea-fc/2012/08/03/82029-31514096/?#ixzz22Tj5QK9G

[WhiteJC]

 
Troubling Times for Jol if Dembele also Leaves
Fulham fans’ tough pre-season is about to get even worse, with reports Moussa Dembele is attracting overseas attention from Real Madrid.

Having already failed to tempt last season’s loan signing, Pavel Pogrebnyak, to stay at the club, the Cottagers have been fighting tooth and nail to prevent midfield ace, Clint Dempsey moving to Liverpool.

Now, news of Dembele’s proposed departure has left many Fulham fans scratching their heads in great concern about the future of the club. 

The Cottagers are currently 5/4 to finish in the top ten in the football betting tips on Betfair.

Dembele’s agent told Dutch newspaper, De Telegraaf, this week that Madrid were in contact with the player, and are not the first ‘big club’ this summer to have done so.

Such a transfer rumour – no matter how weak it may be – is likely to unnerve fans already bracing themselves for the departure of Dempsey.

Should Dembele also walk with Dempsey, manager, Martin Jol, will have seen five senior members of his attacking unit leave the club.

Their midfield looks incredibly weak already, with Danny Murphy’s transfer to Blackburn earlier this summer, and their forward line now lacks the experienced Andrew Johnson.

Dembele, who can play in attacking midfield or up front, is a central figure to Jol’s plans this season, but there is no way he can resist the lure of the Bernabeu should Jose Mourinho come calling.

Jol must start looking for a replacement now if he is to lose the Belgian star. The manager has already brought in Hugo Rodallega and Mladaen Petric, but these players were meant to boost the squad, not replace it.

Expect the search to continue deep into August, with Fulham’s start-of-season performances to be badly affected by any player loss from now on.



http://postmatchpint.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/troubling-times-for-jol-if-dembele-also.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Etuhu to sign for Rovers this afternoon

Dickson Etuhu will sign a three-year deal with Blackburn Rovers this afternoon - after passing his medicals at Brockhall.

The 30-year-old midfielder is putting pen to paper on a move to Rovers from Fulham, for in the region of £1.5million, and will make his debut this weekend in Holland.

Etuhu won't feature against Go Ahead Eagles in Deventer this evening, but is expected to play some part in  Sunday's game at NEC Nijmegen.

Meanwhile, Rovers are yet to hear back from Huddersfield about their bid for striker Jordan Rhodes.



http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/9854870.Etuhu_to_sign_for_Rovers_this_afternoon/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Striker Targeted!
   
One interesting rumour, in the tabloid press this morning carries the suggestion that Fulham are in the mix to sign Peter Odemwingie.

Odemwingie, under contract to West Bromwich Albion, is said to be the subject of a £4.5 million bid.

But, it`s also being inferred that West Bromwich Albion are looking at a fee of £6 million for the striker.

Now, at 31 years of age, I reckon that`s a little steep. Odemwingie has, previously, shown touches of class but, in my opinion, these have been to fleeting and too infrequent to suggest we should go any higher in price.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=288950#ixzz22UO8DHXV

[WhiteJC]

 
Striker Chase
   
As well as, supposedly, being in the race for Peter Odemwingie, the tabloid press has us linked with a move for another striker.

The player in question is the Levante striker Arouna Kone.

At 28 years of age, he`s valued at £7 million and has, reportedly, snubbed moves to Russia and Qatar as he wants to play in the Premier League.

Last season he bagged 17 goals in 34 games, a ratio that has also attracted the attention of Spurs, Sunderland and Wigan,

It`ll be interesting to see if this interest is genuine or newspaper generated and if it is the latter, can we land him!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=288951#ixzz22UOLIKHm

[WhiteJC]

 
Rhodes Update
   
Jordan Rhodes certainly attracted attention with his scoring exploits last season.

Forty goals, in a season, was a fantastic achievement and it`s no surprise that his feats have attracted attention from several clubs.

Rumour has it that Fulham made a bid for the player earlier this summer but didn`t receive a favourable reaction.

Today, the press is reporting that Blackburn Rovers have now tested the water by offering Huddersfield Town £5 million for Rhodes. It seems that £3 million of this is to be paid up-front with the other £2 million to follow if Blackburn can bounce straight back to the Premier League, from the Championship.

The insinuation is that this bid exceeds the one Fulham made; if that is the case then it`s no surprise that our bid received a negative reaction from Huddersfield!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=288952#ixzz22UP7yNUm

[WhiteJC]

 
Rovers seal Etuhu deal

Blackburn Rovers are delighted to announce that we have reached an agreement with Fulham for the signing of Dickson Etuhu.

The Nigeria international midfielder has put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal, which will keep him at Ewood Park until June 2016.

The 30-year-old, who played alongside Danny Murphy at Craven Cottage, becomes manager Steve Kean's seventh signing of the summer.

The Rovers boss said: "Dickson is a player I have admired for a long time and he will be a fantastic addition to the squad.

"He is a powerhouse in midfield, who has played at the highest level with Fulham and we feel confident he will complement our other midfield options."

Dickson started his career at Manchester City, before joining Preston North End in 2002, where he played just short of 150 games.

He joined Norwich city in January 2006, after an initial loan spell, before moving to the Premier League with Sunderland in June 2007.

After just one season at the Stadium of Light, he made the move down to Fulham, where he made 127 appearances, including a starting role in the 2010 Europa League final.

Dickson will fly out to Holland in the morning to join his new Rovers team-mates.



http://www.rovers.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10303~2870484,00.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Player Departures

The Club can confirm that Dickson Etuhu has joined Blackburn Rovers on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Dickson made over 125 appearances for the Whites since joining four years ago and played an integral role in our 2009/10 Europa League campaign.

In addition, the Club can confirm that Bjørn Helge Riise has joined Lillestrøm on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Fulham.

The Club would like to thank both players for their efforts during their time at Craven Cottage and we wish them all the best for the future.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/August/PlayerDepartures.aspx?