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Wednesday Fulham Stuff (20/06/18)...

Started by WhiteJC, June 20, 2018, 07:25:44 AM

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WhiteJC

 
Fulham 'serious' about signing player, willing to offer £10m, Atletico Madrid with say in transfer

Amath Ndiaye Diedhiou, simply known as Amath, is a winger who plays for Getafe. The Spanish club secured his services from Atletico Madrid last summer and the two clubs retain 50 percent each of the player's rights.

The 21-year-old scored three goals and registered three assists in 37 La Liga appearances last season. Today's edition of Spanish newspaper AS claims Fulham are now interested in signing the Senegalese winger.

Slaviša Jokanović's side are willing to offer £10m to sign the player. Atletico included a buyback clause in Amath's contract when he joined Getafe and they have a final call on deciding his future.

Diego Simeone's side are unlikely to exercise the buyback option, with the report claiming re-signing Amath does not appeal to Atletico. Fulham are "serious" with their offer for the player and want to land the player this summer.

Jokanović will be looking to strengthen in almost all areas after Fulham secured promotion to the Premier League. The Cottagers achieved promotion after defeating Aston Villa 1-0 in the Championship play-off final.

A final decision will be made on Amath soon, and Atletico will be a part of the process.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-serious-signing-player-willing-offer-10m-atletico-madrid-say-transfer/

WhiteJC

 
The key figures behind Fulham's transfer and scouting network during the transfer window

We take a look at the men who will be key to Fulham's recruitment policy in the upcoming transfer window

Preparations are already underway for Fulham's Premier League, with the club currently attempting to further strengthen their side for the 2018/10 season.

After a successful January Transfer Window, the club's recruitment department will be keen to continue that into this summer in what is, arguably, an even more important window as the club looks to build on a successful 2017/18.

The signing of Cyrus Christie showed the long-term thinking in January, while Aleksandar Mitrovic's and Matt Targett's acquisitions benefited the club in the short-term, with both players plugging gaps and adding strength to a side chasing promotion.

The summer's strategy has been planned in advance, with three groups of players identified during last season - group a, which was players who would sign only in the Premier League, group b, players that would be signed if it was the Championship again and group c, which was players who would sign in both the Premier League and Championship.

Despite there being no signings as yet, work is ongoing in the background to secure players as the Whites prepare for life back in the top flight.

But who is in charge of recruitment and how do they find new players? We take a look at Fulham's recruitment strategy and how January's success will impact the summer.

Tony Khan - Vice Chairman and Director of Football Operations

As is fairly common knowledge, Khan plays a crucial role in the acquisition of new players at Craven Cottage and heads up the side's recruitment department.

It's down to Khan and his team to find new players and sign them for the side, with input from James Lovell on the date side of things and Brian Talbot with the traditional scouting method.


New team: Slavisa Jokanovic with Tony Khan (Image: Fulham FC)

Khan was appointed to the role in February 2017 but had been advising the club on the football operations, with analytics and research featuring predominantly in his work and helped build the side that lost in the play-offs last season.

The son of owner, Shahid Khan, Khan Jnr will play a crucial role in the identifying and signing of players at Fulham this summer.

He works directly with Lovell, Talbot and Slavisa Jokanovic in the recruiting of players.

James Lovell - Data Analyst

Lovell was appointed to the role that was previously held by controversial character, Craig Kline, after the club relieved the American of his duties.

A former first team performance analyst at Fulham, Lovell's impact on the January transfer window was huge,with the club focusing on players with English experience, including the signings of Targett and Christie.

Lovell has been involved in the development and use of data in the club's scouting process in the past to help identify players of interest and influence the scouting process at the club, which is now his main role.

He'll be responsible for the data side of signings in the summer Transfer Window, working alongside Khan, Talbot and Jokanovic in order to find players and recruit them for the coming season.

Brian Talbot - Assistant Director of Football Operations and Chief Scout

Talbot was appointed to his role in February 2017 when Khan was named as Director of Football operations and have previously served as the club's European Scout from 2011.

He is responsible for the traditional scouting method that the club implements on new signings to compliment the data models that Lovell and Khan use, in order to ensure that both bases are covered.

Talbot makes sure that potential signings have been watched by the club's scouting department, reports that are then combined with their statistical model before a decision is made on whether the club proceeds with signing them or not.


Assistant Director of Football Operations: Brian Talbot (Image: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

He has six full time scouts under his watch, but none of these are ever permanently situated in a single country to watch players.

Instead, scouts are sent to countries that the data tells Fulham's recruitment team that players are statistically better than ones in England, which is why the side have always signed players from Belgium.

His scouting department will have already been watching potential signings this season with a view to bringing them to Craven Cottage for the next campaign.

Alistair Mackintosh - Chief Executive

Fulham's chief executive will work alongside Khan and the recruitment team when negotiating with clubs and trying to strike a deal for new players.

An accountant by profession, Mackintosh joined the club in 2008 from Manchester City and has played a key role at the club since, overseeing a European final as well as the side's highest ever finish in the Premier League.

Recently, he's helped the club gain planning permission for the redevelopment of the Riverside Stand and will play a key role once again in the acquisition of signings.


CEO: Alistair Mackintosh (right) and Shahid Khan at Craven Cottage (Image: Paul Burgman)

Slavisa Jokanovic - Head Coach

There still seems to be confusion on what Jokanovic's role in transfers at Fulham is since the departure of Kline.

The head coach is still not responsible for the buying or selling of players, but an increase in communication between Jokanovic and the recruitment department sees him have more of an input in the process.

That was clear in the Mitrovic transfer, where the forward and the head coach spoke on WhatsApp before Jokanovic went to the recruitment department with the suggestion of signing the Newcastle striker.


(Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)

But that deal was only done after the recruitment department had run their statistical model on the 23-year-old - eventually paving the way for a deal.

This increase in communication, as well as a strong working relationship with Lovell, will be an important part of the club's summer plans.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulham-transfers-tony-khan-jokanovic-14599209

WhiteJC

 
Club closing in on Fulham and QPR target, talks progressing, deal possible this week

Ajansspor report Turkish club Yeni Malatyaspor are close to signing PEC Zwolle forward Youness Mukhtar.

The Utrecht born player will become a free agent at the end of June and has also been linked with a move to Fulham and Queens Park Rangers in recent weeks.

According to Ajansspor the Turkish club has met with Mokhtar's agent and now the player has been invited to Turkey in order for the deal to be sealed.

The Turkish website claims there are a couple of issues to deal with, but Malatyaspor are hoping his confirm the signing this week.

Yeni Malatyaspor president Adil Gevrek has also confirmed that they are in talks with Mokhtar and he too says an agreement is close.

Earlier this month we covered comments made by his agent, who stated Fulham were interested in Mokhtar. Fulham will be looking to bolster their squad in this transfer window and the forward was presented as an option for the club.

Fulham's West London rivals QPR have also been linked with Mokhtar, with claims in the Netherlands they were monitoring the situation.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-closing-fulham-qpr-target-talks-progressing-deal-week-possible/


WhiteJC

 
Newcastle and Fulham battling for £13m-rated forward

Newcastle United are set to battle with Fulham for the signing of Swansea City attacker Jordan Ayew this summer, according to Ghana web.

Ayew performed well for the Swans last season scoring 11 goals in all competitions, but was unable to stop them from being relegated to the Championship.

Fulham, who are preparing for life in the top flight, have already seen a bid rejected of £8 million as the South Wales club value the player nearer to £13 million.

Newcastle are looking for a new striker to lead their line next season after struggling to find a consistent player in this position for much of the last campaign.

Ayew does not want to play in the Championship and is keen to remain in the Premier League. The report claims Swansea do expect to lose the player over the summer as part of their squad overhaul under new manager Graham Potter.



https://readnewcastle.com/2018/06/19/newcastle-and-fulham-battling-for-13m-rated-forward/

WhiteJC

 
Fulham scouting report: Would Ludwig Augustinsson fit into Slavisa Jokanovic's style of play?

We took a look at Ludwig Augusinsson of Sweden, who has been linked with a move to Craven Cottage

Fulham are after a left back during this summer transfer window, with the position being a sticking point in their 2017/18 season until the January window.

Having signed Rafa Saores last summer, the Portuguese full back didn't fit into the Whites' style of play and it wasn't until the acquisition of Matt Targett from Southampton that the problem was solved.

He's now returned to his parent club after his loan spell ended, and while the Craven Cottage outfit would like to bring him back it seems Southampton are looking at using Targett themselves in their squad for the coming season, meaning Fulham are also having to look elsewhere.

One of those players that has been linked is Werder Bremen and Sweden left back Ludwig Augustinsson.

He appeared in Sweden's World Cup opener against South Kore on Monday afternoon, where his country got their campaign off to a strong start with a 1-0 victory over the Asian side, and we kept an eye on how he got on during the tie.

Where would he fit in?

As is common knowledge, Fulham need a left back heading into the new Premier League season, and Augustinsson's performance against South Korea showed exactly why the side have been linked with a move for him.

The 24-year-old was more an attacking wing back than a left back and spent a lot of time high up the pitch on Sweden's left, putting crosses into the box and attempting to beat his man.

He would fit right into Slavisa Jokanovic's style of play at Fulham - the head coach likes his full backs to attack high up the pitch and support the wide attacking players, and Augustinsson would certainly link well with Ryan Sessegnon down that left.

Augustinsson alos looked very comfortable on the ball and in possession, something which would see him fit into Fulham's style of play easily.


Ludwig Augustinsson of Sweden (Image: Stuart Franklin - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Could he pass the physical side of the Premier League?

Playing against South Korea was never going to throw up the physical challenge that the Premier League will was he to make a move over to England, but his past performance certainly seem to suggest he has the physical attributes for the Premier League and for Jokanovic's style.

Jokanovic wants Fulham to be an extremely fit side that dominant the ball and opposition, and the fact that Augustinsson was still making runs down the by-line in the final few minutes of the game suggest fitness isn't a problem for the 24-year-old.

When Sweden won the U21 Euros in 2015, Augustinsson received praise upon praise for his fitness levels and ability in the tournament, going on to be named in The Guardian's Team of the Tournament.

How did he get on against South Korea?

It was an average performance for Augustinsson in an average World Cup opener, if truth be told.

He got on the ball and attacked down the left, but not much came off for him in terms of finding men in the box and his strikers struggled to find their feet.

But if there are positives to take, he looked assured in possession and comfortable down the flanks, while his set pieces from corners caused South Korea problems - and that's something Fulham have lacked in recent years.

With Germany and Mexico up next for Sweden, it will be an interesting watch to see how Augustinsson does against the two favourites to go through to the knockout rounds.


South Korea's forward Hwang Hee-chan (R) fouls Sweden's defender Ludwig Augustinsson (L) (Image: JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images)

The verdict?

He's certainly one to keep and eye on and would be an exciting signing for Fulham if they did make a move for him.

At 24-years-old he represents what the side look for in their players, while previously links to Liverpool show he is highly thought of around the footballing community.

Fulham won't be signing him off the back of the World Cup alone though - they'll have done their research from his 29 Bundesliga appearances for Werder Bremen last season too.



https://www.football.london/fulham-fc/fulham-scouting-report-would-ludwig-14801495

WhiteJC

 
Fulham 'plotting bid for Sturm Graz star Peter Zulj'

Fulham are allegedly lining up a £7m offer for Sturm Graz star Peter Zulj.

The Premier League newcomers are ready to do battle with Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday for the Austrian Footballer of the Year award winner, according to sportreport.biz.

Zulj was a key figure for Sturm Graz last season, scoring 10 goals and providing 17 assists as the club won the Austrian Cup and finished second in the league.

Capped three times for Austria, the 25-year-old is also said to have attracted interest from Hertha Berlin, Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg.

Zulj is under contract with Sturm Graz until 2020 and the club reportedly value him at around £7m.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/transfer-talk/news/fulham-plotting-bid-for-peter-zulj_328683.html


WhiteJC

 
1.1 dribbles per game: The Reading ace that could thrive with newly-promoted Fulham



Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic will be looking to add to his squad as they prepare for their first Premier League campaign since the 2013/14 season.

Many observers will feel the Cottagers are well equipped to staying in the top-flight given the quality they have in their ranks, with the likes of Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon standout players.

However, there's no doubt that they need a few additions to their squad, even if it's players just to boost the overall group.

And, one potential signing could be Reading's John Swift.


As our graphic shows, the midfielder didn't have the best of seasons in the previous campaign, weighing in with just two goals and one assist in 24 games. However, he did suffer with injuries and he has shown in the past he can be a very productive player.

Yet, even without that final product, the stats shows that he still has been getting involved in the games with his dribbling, shots and tackles.

As well as that, he has great technique which suits the style of play that Jokanovic demands.

Importantly, he is only 22-years old and has a lot of time to improve too. Fulham have built a young, dynamic side and it could be the perfect environment for him to flourish and fulfil his potential.

The London side are sure to have a busy summer and even though signing Swift wouldn't grab all the headlines, he could be a very smart addition for their Premier League campaign.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/1-1-dribbles-per-game-the-reading-ace-that-could-thrive-with-newly-promoted-fulham/

WhiteJC

 
Fulham continuing interest in Grealish

Fulham are continuing to pursue the signature of Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, according to Dean Jones of Bleacher Report.

The 22-year-old turned in an excellent performance in the 2017/18 season, and took his club to the brink of promotion to the Premier League.

A 1-0 defeat to Fulham at Wembley meant the Midlanders will remain in the Championship for anther year, but it seems as though Grealish may be playing Premier League football next year all the same – with Fulham.

The Whites are looking to make additions to their squad ahead of their first season back in the Premier League in four years.

To survive and establish themselves in the top division of English football, signings such as that of Grealish are sure to be essential.

With James Maddison making the move from Norwich to Leicester for a reported £22 million, eyes will now turn to see how much Villa will be able to command for Grealish.

As the dark cloud of financial turmoil looms over Villa Park, it seems almost certain that Grealish will be playing his football elsewhere next year.



https://readastonvilla.com/2018/06/19/fulham-continuing-interest-in-grealish/

WhiteJC

 
Southampton keen to keep Matt Targett amid Fulham interest

Southampton are reportedly keen to keep hold of Matt Targett this summer, despite Fulham's efforts to land him on a permanent deal.

The former England Under-21 international joined the Cottagers on loan until the end of the season in January and was a key player for Slavisa Jokanovic's men, as he helped them secure promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.

Targett inevitably emerged as a top summer target for Fulham but according to an exclusive report from TEAMtalk, the Whites have begun to search for alternatives, with Saints' board looking to keep hold of their academy graduate.

It's believed that Southampton will allow Sam McQueen to leave the club this summer, with Bristol City interested in replacing Joe Bryan with the youngster.

Targett's form at Craven Cottage in the second half of last season appears to have convinced Saints' chiefs of his qualities, with the club looking to retain his services for the foreseeable future.

Fulham have reportedly identified Swedish international Ludwig Augustinsson as an alternative to Targett.



https://readsouthampton.com/2018/06/19/southampton-keen-to-keep-matt-targett-amid-fulham-interest/


WhiteJC

 
Fulham Looking To Prepare £10m Bid For 21 Y/O La Liga Winger: What Can He Bring To The Table?

Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham side are in dreamland as they secured their promotion to the Premier League, however, he is already looking to prepare the squad for the challenges of the upcoming season. To add more firepower to his roster, the Cottagers are looking to bring in Getafe's Amath Ndiaye Diedhiou. According to reports, in the Spanish media, Fulham are preparing a £10m bid for the 21-year-old winger.

Ndiaye joined Getafe from Spanish heavyweights Atletico Madrid and the reports suggest that the Europa League holders still hold 50 per cent right for the player who also has a buyout option for the Senegalese winger. The 21-year-old had a breakthrough season last term as he went on to play almost all games for his side in La Liga. He made 39 appearances for them in all competitions and managed three goals and three assists.

Jokanovic will certainly like him to contribute more on the goals column but it seems like the Serbian manager is impressed with what Diedhiou has to offer and wants to bring him to England to help his side continue their stint in the Premier League.

The Cottagers managed to secure the promotion the hard way as they went on to miss the spot for direct qualification narrowly to Cardiff City. They had a brilliant chance to go through as Cardiff dropped points in their final game and a win for Fulham would have secured a much easier route to the English top division. However, they went on to lose to Birmingham City and fell short narrowly. However, they kept their composure and came out triumphant in the playoffs.

Ndiaye has good pace and will be a handful down the left wing for his side. However, he still needs to improve further if he wants to establish himself in the Premier League. It is expected that he will be used more as a backup option for Ryan Sessegnon.

The Cottagers will be in need of attacking players who are able to play with directness and Ndiaye will be a good fit in that role. However, it remains to be seen whether the youngster will be able to take on the challenges of playing in England. He can even play out as a striker upfront for his side and his versatility will certainly be useful for Slavisa Jokanovic if he goes on to sign him in the transfer market.



http://the4thofficial.net/2018/06/fulham-looking-prepare-10m-bid-21-yo-la-liga-winger-can-bring-table/

WhiteJC

 
Transfer News: Man Utd & Tottenham Given Fresh Hope Of Signing £50m Star

The summer transfer window is open and managers are working hard on their transfer targets so we'll bring you all the latest gossip from around the globe. Today, the latest on Ryan Sessegnon...

Sessegnon has been with Fulham his entire career having come through their youth system and has developed in to one of the best young talents outside of the Premier League since breaking in to the first team two years ago.

The 18-year-old attracted interest from a number of top flight clubs after providing 15 goals and 6 assists last season but it was assumed the teen sensation would stay at Fulham for at least another year after helping them clinch promotion with a Championship play-off final win over Aston Villa.

However, TeamTalk says Man Utd and Tottenham have now been given fresh hope of signing Sessegnon after Fulham opened talks with Werder Bremen to sign left-back Augustinsson this summer.

The report says speculation over Sessegnon's future has been reignited by the fact that the Cottagers are in the market for a new left-sided player and Augustinsson has emerged as their prime target.

Should Slavisa Jokanovic's men land the Werder star then they may be tempted to cash-in on Sessegnon with TeamTalk claiming the Londoners value the England Under-21 international at around £50m.

It remains to be seen whether United or Spurs would be willing to pay that kind of money for the teenager but Sessegnon would be an exciting signing if either club was able to get a deal agreed for his signature.

Jose Mourinho is being tipped to sign another attack-minded left-back to act as a long-term replacement for 33-year-old Ashley Young as Luke Shaw's future at Old Trafford is in serious doubt.

Mauricio Pochettino is also expected to be in the market for a new left-back as Danny Rose is being strongly linked with a move away from north London after losing his first team place at Tottenham last season.

Sessegnon made his name as a left-back but is also comfortable further forward so he'd give Mourinho or Pochettino plenty of options if he was to join United or Spurs this summer.



http://football-talk.co.uk/139336/transfer-news-man-utd-tottenham-given-fresh-hope-of-signing-50m-star/