Saturday Fulham Stuff (28/07/18)...

[WhiteJC]

 
A day after Fulham dragged into transfer chase, they're pushed back out again

Despite having named Fulham in the race for the midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia on Thursday, the Portuguese press completely ignores these claims today.

The player's situation still gets a big coverage, as Lisbon giants Sporting are working to have him back at the club this season.

Battaglia rescinded his contract after the attacks at Alcochete a couple of months ago, and now negotiates a new deal to return to the club.

But when speaking of the competition that Sporting would have this time, Record doesn't name any clubs. All they say is there's some interest from Spain and Germany.

As the report from Thursday said the player was offered to Fulham, we can only guess that there hasn't been any interest from the Whites in signing him, otherwise Record's headline would be different.

The newspaper is now confident that Battaglia can find a new deal with Sporting, even though the club are reluctant to match his demands.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/day-fulham-dragged-transfer-chase-theyre-pushed-back/

[WhiteJC]

 
Rumors: Fulham spree continues with links to Mawson, Herrera, Battaglia

Newly promoted Fulham has already shelled out nearly $50 million this summer as the Whites look to secure Premier League status in the season following promotion via the Championship playoff, but they show no signs of slowing down.

The Whites, led by recruitment chair Tony Khan, have been linked to a host of new players on Friday, including a Mexican international.

Midfielder Hector Herrera, who played every minute of Mexico's 2018 World Cup adventure, has been linked with a move to London. According to Portuguese outlet Record, in a report which has since been corroborated by The Sun in England, Fulham is chasing the 28-year-old Mexican who currently plays for Portuguese giants FC Porto. The reports state Herrera has a release clause of nearly $46 million, but that the proposed transfer fee would likely fall well short of that.

Herrera has made 70 appearances for the Mexican international team, a mainstay over the last four years since debuting as a regular in the 2014 World Cup. He has been with Porto since the summer of 2013 when he arrived from Liga MX side Pachuca, making 192 appearances for Porto. He would join new signing Jean-Michael Seri in the Fulham midfield, alongside incumbent starters Kevin McDonald and Stefan Johansen, the former of which signed a new contract with Fulham on Friday.

Also making the rounds in Portugal is the rumor of contact with Sporting CP midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia. Record, along with a few of the TV channels in Portugal, is reporting that Battaglia has seen his Sporting contract successfully nullified following the locker room attack that has reportedly left many players wanting out. Should that be the case, it would mean Battaglia would be able to sign with any team on a free transfer.

The 27-year-old has yet to make an appearance for the Argentinian national team but was considered unlucky not to make the 2018 World Cup squad under Jorge Sampaoli. Known as a true defensive midfielder with bruising capabilities and a decent eye for distribution, Battaglia made 33 Liga NOS appearances for Porto last season after joining in the summer from fellow Portuguese club Braga. However, reports later on Friday have since suggested there may remain the possibility for Battaglia to work out a new contract at Sporting.

Another connection made to Craven Cottage has been Swansea City defender Alfie Mawson, according to WalesOnline. The Fulham back line is currently thin, with United States international Tim Ream leading the way. Still just 24 years old, Mawson has been with Swansea since 2016, joining from Barnsley and making 65 career Premier League appearances. While Swansea's defensive record has been relatively solid over the past few years, it was their attack that floundered in their relegation season last campaign.

On the verge of sniffing the national team, Mawson has been reportedly chased by a number of mid-table Premier League sides such as Burnley and West Ham, and with the Whites looking to bolster the back line, this would seem to be sensible, quoted at around $26 million, a sizeable but sensible investment towards a youthful English defender.

Also notable remains the constant links to Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. The Serbian international was stellar on loan in the second half of last season at Craven Cottage, pouring in 12 goals in 17 Championship appearances with Fulham in their successful push for promotion. With the other striker options thin in Slavisa Jokanovic's possession-based system, Mitrovic seems a no-brainer for the Whites, but so far Newcastle has held firm on their valuation of around $26 million and forced Mitrovic to join the club on its preseason tour of Portugal even though Rafa Benitez has been public about his dislike for the Serbian striker. The Whites have to this point resisted that amount, but the links continue to swirl and the signing still seems to be a likely possibility.

Fulham has already broken its transfer record to bring Seri in, while also adding Borussia Dortmund winger Andre Schurrle on a two-year loan deal.


https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/07/27/rumors-fulham-spree-continues-with-links-to-mawson-herrera-battaglia/

[WhiteJC]

 
Newcastle United Want £18m For Fulham Target: A No-brainer For Jokanovic?

According to a recent report by Evening Standard, Fulham are nearing a deal to lure Aleksandar Mitrovic to Craven Cottage from the ranks of Newcastle United. Mitrovic is believed to have agreed on personal terms with the London based outfit. However, the Magpies are holding out for a transfer fee close to £18million for the striker.

The two sides are still £2million apart in their valuation and it would be intriguing to see which club eventually cedes ground. Fulham earned a promotion to the Premier League after their impressive run of form in the Championship last season. Under the stewardship of Slavisa Jokanovic, they were intriguing to watch owing to the free-flowing and productive football they played and eventually, they defeated Aston Villa in the playoff final to seal their return, to where the fans feel they belong.

Jokanovic has certainly gone for quality instead of quantity in order to beef up his arsenal to ensure that he has the right personnel under his command this season. He has lured Jean Michael Seri, Fabri, Maxime Le Marchand and Andre Schurrle and there is no denying that they would be extremely pleased with their endeavours in the transfer window if they manage to get hold of Mitrovic.

The Serbian international did not find favour under Rafael Benitez during the first half of last season and thus, he left St. James' Park to undergo a loan spell with Fulham. He proved to be a terrific signing for the Whites as he helped them in their promotion bid with his remarkable goal-scoring form. He settled well in a short span of time and looked comfortable in the system used by Jokanovic.

In 20 appearances in the second division, Mitrovic plundered 12 goals and also registered 1 assist. He put his head down and worked his socks off to bring his career on the right track. He scored goals against notable Championship outfits as well and thus, it goes without saying that he would be keen to continue in the same vein of form this season as well.

The forward has improved in the last few months and his overall gameplay has progressed in a healthy manner. Fulham will be eager to complete this signing and when they do, it will round off a satisfying summer transfer window.

Statistics Credits: WhoScored



https://madaboutepl.net/2018/07/fulham-close-newcastle-united-hitman-no-brainer-jokanovic/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham transfer news: Alfie Mawson poised to complete £25million move from Swansea
FULHAM are poised to complete the £25million signing of Swansea centre back Alfie Mawson.


Fulham transfer news: Alfie Mawson poised to complete £25million move from Swansea (Image: GETTY)

West Ham and Burnley were both chasing the highly rated Mawson, but Fulham's late offer looks to have clinched a deal for manager Slavisa Jokanovic.

Mawson, 24, is still recovering from the knee surgery that he had at the end of last season, but that has not stopped the interest mounting in the England Under 21 defender, who has made a big impression since joining Swansea from Barnsley in August 2016.

West Ham have already had one bid for Mawson turned down, while Burnley were in talks with Swansea this week.

The Cottagers, promoted to the Premier League via the play offs last season, have already this week secured the signing of German World Cup and former Chelsea striker Andre Schurrle on a two year loan deal from Borussia Dortmund.

Jokanovic, who has also been linked with a move for Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter, has already secured the signatures of midfielder Jean Michel Seri from Nice in a £25m deal, as well as fullback Maxime le Marchand from the same club, and Spanish goalkeeper Fabri from Besiktas.

*FULHAM midfielder Kevin McDonald has signed a new two year deal with an option to stay for a further 12 months.

"I feel settled here, it's a great place to play," said the Scot, 29.

"It's got everything needed for a Premier League club, and thankfully that's what we are."



https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/995360/Fulham-transfer-news-Alfie-Mawson-Swansea

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham, Burnley and West Ham step up interest in Alfie Mawson

Fulham, Burnley and West Ham were all in talks to sign Alfie Mawson from Swansea on Friday, according to Sky sources.

The Swans want more than £20m for the centre-back, who is still getting back to fitness following knee surgery at the end of last season.

West Ham had a number of offers rejected earlier in the summer as they bid for both Mawson and keeper Lukasz Fabianski, whom they signed in June.

Sky Sports News reported earlier this month that Burnley had opened discussions for the defender as they prepare for their first season in European competition.

And now Fulham, who want another centre-back after signing Maxime Le Marchand, have come in for Mawson in the last 24 hours, Sky Sports News understands.



http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11451818/fulham-burnley-and-west-ham-step-up-interest-in-alfie-mawson

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham told to pay £25m to sign defender Alfie Mawson after holding talks with Swansea as West Ham and Burnley also express interest

    Fulham must meet Swansea's £25m demands if they want to sign Alfie Mawson
    The Premier League new boys are understood to be in pole position for Mawson
    Burnley and West Ham have enquired but are yet to hold talks with Swansea

Fulham have held initial talks with Swansea over their defender Alfie Mawson.

Mawson is not short of potential suitors and Swansea are willing to sell him, but are demanding £25million.

Burnley and West Ham have both enquired about the English defender, but Fulham are understood to be in pole position.


Fulham have been told to meet Swansea's £25m valuation of Alfie Maswon after holding talks


They are in pole position to sign the defender despite interest from Burnley and West Ham

The 24-year-old was the standout performer in what was a egregious campaign last term for Swansea, which culminated in their relegation to the Championship.

Fulham have done smart business so far this summer and Mawson would again be a huge coup for the Premier League new boys.

Slavisa Jokanovic has been backed by the board in the market and has already spent in excess of £30m on new acquisitions.


Fulham have done smart business so far, most recently signing Andre Schurrle on a loan deal

The most recent player through the door at Craven Cottage was Andre Schurrle, who joined on a two-year loan deal from Borussia Dortmund.

They have also been working hard to secure the futures of the players at the club, tieing down highly-rated midfielder Tom Cairney to a new long-term contract at the start of the month.

Kevin McDonald also agreed a fresh two-year contract with the option of a further 12 months on Friday.


The Premier League new boys also secured midfielder Kevin McDonald for a further two years



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6001155/Fulham-told-pay-25m-sign-Swansea-defender-Alfie-Mawson.html

[Cottage Industry]

Mitrovic. To be fair I do not think we have the whole picture on this continuing saga. However, to answer the article,  if the situation is purely the difference of £2m then I see this as  Policy v's  Common Sense, and in this case Common Sense should prevail. The Board have shown a completely different approach this time to transfers, in fact they have performed exactly as a Premiership Club should perform. To date  the signings have been magnificent, so why should the club behave differently? I do not believe this is our doing (I hope I am right) but Newcastle's Chairman is a complex character to say the least, so I would not believe anything that is said until the transfer is signed, sealed, and delivered. In this case if it does not happen, we will probably never know the truth behind the so called deal.

Herrera. This is another of those exciting prospects that has come out of the blue. As the article states that, SJ has already contacted the player and has expressed his opinion that he sees his inclusion as an integral part of the team this year, and that speaks volumes for the deal to progress. I will look with every hope that this will happen, if it does, then again hats off to the board & SJ for spotting and supporting the proposed transfer.