Friday Fulham Stuff (19/05/17)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Reliable journo confirms Ryan Sessegnon is Liverpool's top left-back target

With Fulham missing out on a place in the Championship play-off final, Ryan Sessegnon's future will soon be determined and Liverpool is heavily interested.

Liverpool will look to negotiate a deal for Sessegnon as a replacement for Alberto Moreno, according to The Liverpool ECHO. The English U19 fullback is rated at £10 million and while that is a lot for a 17-year-old, the lad has a lot of potential.

Moreno is likely to leave this summer after a season spent on the bench, with few opportunities to make an impact given the reliability of James Milner as a makeshift fullback.

Hull City's Andy Robertson is another player that has been linked with a move to Merseyside but the ECHO's James Pearce reports that it's a move that is "is unlikely to materialise" due to the fact that Liverpool doesn't intend to follow up on their interest.

James Pearce reports that Ryan Sessegnon is ahead of Andy Robertson on Jürgen Klopp's left-back short list for the summer.

The Reds look likely to take advantage of the fact that Fulham was ejected from the playoff finals by Reading on Tuesday evening. The promise of Premier League football over another season in the Championship could prove persuasive when Liverpool comes calling.

Should the young fullback sign for Liverpool, he would compete with James Milner to be the club's starting fullback.

It's unlikely that Liverpool will be the only Premier League club with the mind to take Sessegnon on. In 30 league appearances this season, Sessegnon has scored seven goals which is equal to James Milner's record this term.

According to the ECHO, Sessegnon "pre-agreed his first professional contract" with Fulham before the beginning of the season which will be activated on July 1.

There are yet to be any concrete reports regarding Liverpool's interest in signing an experienced full-back this summer wich could indicate the Jürgen Klopp will use Milner as his go-to man again next season.



https://www.rousingthekop.com/2017/05/18/reliable-journo-confirms-liverpool-will-sign-ryan-sessegnon-this-summer/

[WhiteJC]

 
Newcastle United linked to Ince and Cairney, fans react

Newcastle United fans have been deliberating over who they want to join the club this summer, amid rumours linking Tom Ince and Tom Cairney to the Magpies.

The Mirror recently reported that Derby County will not step in Ince's way if a £10m offer comes in.

The publication added that Newcastle may launch a move for the attacker after they showed interest in January.

Fulham midfielder Cairney was also a rumoured target in the winter, and now, according to The Telegraph, the Magpies will revive their interest this summer after the Cottagers failed to reach the Championship playoff final.

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez will be keen to strengthen his squad in order to cope with the demands of the Premier League.

The main aim will be to make sure that the Magpies can be competitive in the top flight after spending a season in the second tier.

The fans have been questioning whether Ince and Cairney are the right targets.



https://www.footballfancast.com/social-media/twitter/newcastle-united-linked-to-ince-and-cairney-fans-react

[WhiteJC]

 
Cairney Bid Expected

As we mentioned the other day, Rafa Benitez has been linked with giving the green light to bid for Fulham's Tom Cairney.

The Northern Echo reported on it by saying that a bid is imminent.

With us looking a bit light for creative players in the second half of last season, the attacking midfield slot is one that needs improving and the player who we were said to be interested in last January is the media favourite at present although this may change as the transfer window doesn't open for 6 weeks.

The deal back in January was said to have been on if we bid £20m but with it well known that Mike Ashley wont let the club over pay on players, it was believed that we valued Cairney at between £8m - £10m, although amidst no report of an actual bid and on the back of trying to balance the books with a smaller income, maybe there was never any intention of a deal anyway.

With Cairney's stock rising after an impressive season at Fulham, there are a number of factors that put a move in doubt. One is that Cairney is just one of many names that has been banded about in the last week alone.

Another factor in a deal being difficult is that the Fulham manager has said in his last press conference that he expects all his top players to stay to mount a promotion challenge next year.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Slavisa Jokanovic said:

I expect our best players are going to stay with us, We are talking about most important players. They are going to stay with us.

One factor in a deal being possible is that we can offer premier league football, so we'll see.



Read more: http://www.newcastle.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=492219#ixzz4hVJzHygo

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham want to keep Tom Cairney but Newcastle hold all the cards

Slavisa Jokanovic says Fulham don't have to sell Tom Cairney but Newcastle can offer him something they cannot.

Unfortunately for Fulham, failure to get promoted from the Sky Bet Championship after defeat to Reading in the playoffs means keeping their best players becomes a difficult task.

Although he does not mention the midfielder by name, it is easy to read between the lines that Tom Cairney is among those Cottagers manager Slavisa Jokanovic was referring to when he spoke after that loss.

"I expect our best players to stay with us. This is the information I have from the board. They have promised me these players are going to stay with us," Jokanovic was quoted by the London Evening Standard.

Yet while the potential of Premier League football would have kept ambitious stars such as Cairney happy for a while, with that no longer a possibility the prospect of joining a top flight side becomes all the more enticing.

Step forward Newcastle United. Crowned Championship winners and returning to the top tier at the first time of asking, boss Rafael Benitez is already looking to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season.

As the Telegraph reports, Cairney is high on Benitez's list of priorities, with the Magpies preparing a £12m offer while Fulham want nearer to £20m.

Either way, while the West London team may say they do not have to sell any of their players, if the Scotland international wants to leave for Newcastle then with the Premier League no longer an option for them, they are powerless to resist.




http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/05/18/fulham-want-to-keep-tom-cairney-but-newcastle-hold-all-the-cards/

[WhiteJC]

 
Cairney to seek Fulham exit as Newcastle step up hunt – report

Newcastle United are looking to act quickly in the transfer market by making a firm approach to sign Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney, according to reports.

The Magpies attempted to sign the Scotland international back in January but were seemingly put off by Fulham's £20million price tag.

However, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph, the Tyneside club did not end their interest in the 26-year-old and are looking to revitalise their efforts and will launch a new bid in the summer.

Cairney was one of Fulham's top performers this season and Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is keen to bring that extra creativity to his side.

The news comes after Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic insisted he had been given assurances that his side will keep their top players.

The report also suggests that Cairney feels he is ready for a move to the top flight and that now would be the best time as he prepares to reach his peak years.

Newcastle are said to make an offer of around £12million, although Fulham will likely reject that and hold out for much nearer the £20million they value him at.

It is also claimed Cairney will submit a transfer at Craven Cottage in a bid to help force through the move.

The midfielder scored 13 goals and notched 11 assists during an excellent campaign as Fulham's bid to return to the Premier League was ended at the play-off semi-final stage.




http://www.teamtalk.com/news/report-says-cairney-will-ask-for-fulham-exit-as-newcastle-step-up-hunt

[WhiteJC]

 
For Fulham the Buzz Word Is Ambition

Destined to spend at least another season in the Championship, after our defeat at the hands of Reading in the semi-final stages, it could be an interesting summer at Craven Cottage.

Slavisa Jokanovic has suggested that the club cannot sit back and rest on its laurels this summer and needs to bring in some players who will improve the squad.

Once again, Jokanovic is looking to mount a promotion challenge, remarking to the local media,

'Towards the end of this season, we started to believe we could be a promotion contender.

'We haven't done it this season, so it's clear we need to improve our squad and be more competitive in the season ahead.

'I believe we can make progress next season and at the same time, we must show ambition over the summer.'

The word ambition being the key word, often you have to speculate to accumulate, so let`s hope when it comes to bringing in some talent, the board take a bold approach, that way we can get our Premier League status back.




Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=492229#ixzz4hVLfzb5D

[WhiteJC]

 
Report: West Ham United and Southampton join Newcastle United in race for Tom Cairney

West Ham United, Southampton and Newcastle United are all interested in Tom Cairney.

According to a report in the Northern Echo, West Ham United and Southampton are both interested in Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney.

Newcastle United had been leading the race to sign Cairney from Fulham, but they now face competition for the midfielder's signature.

Fulham are expected to lose the 26-year-old this summer, following their play off defeat to Reading.

Cairney has been one of the stand out players in the Championship this term, and he is now on both West Ham's and Southampton's wishlist.

According to the Daily Mirror, Cairney could cost £20 million - but both West Ham and Southampton are still keen.

Newcastle are still thought to be hopeful of doing a deal too, but are aware that they face a battle for his signature.

Cairney has played 45 matches for Fulham this season, scoring on 12 occasions and claiming 11 assists.



http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/05/18/report-west-ham-united-and-southampton-join-newcastle-united-in/

[WhiteJC]

 
Tottenham Hotspur should take £15m gamble and sign Ryan Sessegnon



Mauricio Pochettino has admitted to Yahoo that he took a big risk to sign Dele Alli from Milton Keynes Dons back in 2015, and he should repeat the trick this summer to sign Fulham defender Ryan Sessegnon.

Tottenham have had a keen eye for young talent in recent times, with their scouting team working wonders in the transfer market.

Although Spurs have suffered some flops, the likes of Alli, Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama have unquestionably been brilliant additions.

And Spurs could have the opportunity to bring in another future star by snapping up Sessegnon from Fulham this summer.

The Cottagers have slapped a £15 million asking price on the 17-year-old (Independent), but that could turn out to be a bargain.

Of course, Spurs are mainly buying potential at this time - and Sessegnon would be unlikely to go straight into Pochettino's first team.

But the youngster has already shown the capability to be a standout player at Championship level, and he looks a supreme talent.

Sessegnon has been a real bright spark for Fulham this campaign, as he has scored seven times in all competitions in 31 appearances.

And if Spurs are prepared to stake £15 million this summer, the future returns could be massive if Pochettino is prepared to take the gamble and sign Sessegnon.




http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/05/18/tottenham-hotspur-should-take-15m-gamble-and-sign-ryan-sessegnon/

[WhiteJC]

 
Ryan Sessegnon's Fulham contract talks delayed as Liverpool continue to loom

Liverpool target Ryan Sessegnon is not expected to sign a professional deal with Fulham until June, despite celebrating his 17th birthday this month.

Sessegnon turned 17 on Thursday, with the left-back now eligible to sign professional terms with the Cottagers, after a breakthrough campaign in 2016/17.

The England U19 international made 30 appearances in all competitions for the first team, scoring seven goals and assisting a further four despite operating mostly in defence.

Fulham missed out on promotion to the Premier League after falling to defeat to Reading in the play-off semi-finals, with Sessegnon playing just 32 minutes over both legs.

According to the Mail, though he is now able to sign a professional contract, Sessegnon is not expected to do so until next month.

Quite why is unclear, as putting pen to paper on new terms would increase his value ahead of the summer transfer window.

This delay, along with Sessegnon's omission from Slavisa Jokanovic's starting lineup in the play-offs, could suggest an issue between the two parties.

While he had not been a guaranteed starter throughout 2016/17, Sessegnon had certainly carved out a regular role, and proved himself one of Fulham's most effective players.

He has been one of the Championship's standout stars in 2016/17, and was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year at the end of April.

Fulham are said to be confident of retaining their best talent, but failing to secure promotion could leave Sessegnon open to a move.

Speaking ahead of Fulham's two-legged clash with Reading, Jokanovic admitted promotion would be the best chance of warding Liverpool off the teenager.

"If we get promoted, it's the best way to keep him," he said.

"I've talked many times about him and personally I believe he is in the right place, he doesn't need to change in this moment.

"It will depend on different sides. For myself, I think we will fight to be working with him next season.

"Ryan Sessegnon is fully committed with us and is working hard."

Though he is far from required to make the step up at this early stage of his career, and another season at Craven Cottage could aid his development, Sessegnon may be considering his options.

That he hasn't signed a new deal on his 17th birthday, as is often the case—such as with Liverpool's Glen McAuley and Liam Millar this term—could be a red flag.



https://www.thisisanfield.com/2017/05/ryan-sessegnons-fulham-contract-talks-delayed-liverpool-continue-loom/

[WhiteJC]

 
Poll result: Majority of Derby County fans will welcome Chris Martin back with open arms

The majority of Derby County fans will welcome striker Chris Martin back to the club with open arms, according to our online poll.

We asked the Rams faithful if they would be glad to see Martin in a Derby shirt again next season following the end of his loan spell at Fulham.

More than 2,500 people cast their vote and nearly three-quarters (73%) said "yes".

That left 27% who were not so keen but they were in the minority.

Martin scored 11 goals in 34 appearances for Fulham, who reached the Championship play-offs this season.

The Scotland international is expected to report back for pre-season training with the Rams ahead of the 2017-18 campaign.

Before this term, the 28-year-old had been Derby's leading scorer for three years running, netting a total of 61 goals.



Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/poll-result-majority-of-derby-county-fans-will-welcome-chris-martin-back-with-open-arms/story-30340457-detail/story.html#tGMWJA4AWU8V972E.99

[WhiteJC]

 
Academy's Dutch Trip

The Under-18s travel to Holland on Friday for a post-season tour, where they will be playing in an international tournament and competing for the Esad Osmanovski Memorial Cup.

Three group games are played on the Saturday, with two matches on Sunday to decide each team's finishing place in the tournament. Matches are 50 minutes long with 25 minute halves.

The Young Whites have been drawn against Belgian side KAA Gent, Dutch outfit SC Heerenveen, and Ghana's Attram de Visser Soccer Academy in Pool A.

Pool B consists of Feyenoord, Club Brugge, West Ham United, and Werder Bremen. Fulham will play two of these teams on the Sunday.

"It's the first time we have been to this tournament," commented Head of Academy Coaching, Steve Wigley. "We normally try and aim to go on an end of season trip.

"We went to Germany last year where we did quite well. We got beaten in the Semi-Final by a very good Red Bull Brazil side. It's a top tournament in Germany and we finished third.

"We were fortunate to be offered a place in this tournament, there are some good teams there and it's always a nice way to end the season with a tour.

"It also means the boys are playing football up until mid may which then gives them around a six week break."

Asked about playing European teams, he said: "They come up against different styles of football in international tournaments. Also, with the age difference we always end up being a young team as European academic years starts in January, and ours start from August.

"Unfortunately we've got a few injuries at the minute, but that just gives some of the young ones an opportunity, and anytime you go and play against top teams from the continent you've got to learn something.

You can only take 18 players, they're 50 miniute games with 25 minutes each way, but you have three on the Saturday and two on the Sunday so everyone is going to play football, everyone is going to get an opportunity."




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/may/18/academy-holland-tournament

[WhiteJC]

 
Norwich City and Fulham both interested in Belgium based player, building blocks of transfer

Norwich City and Fulham are both keeping an eye on a player, or players, in Belgium. During the winter transfer window Fulham approached several players in Belgium football before finally signing Cyriac at the end of the window.

Fulham have been more active than Norwich in Belgium, bringing in several players over the past few years. The league is cheaper to recruit from than France's Ligue 1, so there's often a greater chance of a bargain.

Anderlecht Online report that both Fulham and Norwich will have an official watch the match between Charleroi and Anderlecht tonight, an important game in Belgium's end of season championship play-offs.

The Belgian league splits in the second half of the season and the overall winner is decided by a series of play-offs.

There's no indication who either Championship club have got their eye on, but both Fulham and Norwich will be setting the building blocks of summer transfers, and seem to have a Belgium based player on the agenda.

For Fulham, especially, that is really no surprise.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/norwich-city-fulham-interest-belgium-based-player-building-blocks-transfer/