From Portugal: Benfica's squad problem brings Fulham player back into spotlight
Fulham fans might remember what Marco Silva said when he was unveiled by Benfica.
The Portuguese coach insisted he wasn't planning to raid his former club for transfer targets this summer. A few days later, however, Harry Wilson's name continues to be mentioned whenever Benfica's recruitment plans are discussed.
That's happened again on Thursday, with Correio da Manhã reporting the Welshman is among the winger options being considered by the Portuguese giants as Silva tries to solve an early-season headache.
Benfica already have a problem
According to the newspaper, Marco Silva is worried about Benfica's lack of options out wide. This is ahead of their first competitive match of the season against St. Gallen in the Europa League on July 23.
Andreas Schjelderup and Dodi Lukebakio are both away at the World Cup and, according to the report, Silva intends to give all Benfica players involved in the tournament 15 days of holiday once they return, regardless of how far their countries go.
That means neither player is guaranteed to be available for the opening fixtures.
Bruma is still working his way back from a lengthy injury layoff. He is also being linked with a move away. Meanwhile, Tiago Gouveia has returned from his loan spell at Nice. However, he is not certain to remain beyond the summer.
Gianluca Prestianni would have been another option, but he still has suspension games to serve following his disciplinary case involving Vinícius Júnior in last season's Champions League.
In short, Benfica need wingers.
Wilson link refuses to go away
That is where Harry Wilson enters the picture again. Correio da Manhã say the Fulham player is one of the names being discussed internally. This is alongside Deportivo La Coruña's Yeremay Hernández and Saint-Étienne winger Zuriko Davitashvili.
The link is hardly surprising. Earlier this month, Portuguese reports claimed Silva wanted to reunite with the winger in Lisbon. Despite this, he publicly insisted later he was not looking to bring Fulham players with him.
The timing may be helping to keep the rumours alive. Wilson's contract situation is still unresolved. Therefore, he could become available on a free transfer if no new agreement is reached at Craven Cottage.
For a Benfica side suddenly looking for solutions before the season even starts, that is naturally an attractive situation.
And despite Silva's comments at his Benfica presentation, Harry Wilson's name keeps popping up whenever the Portuguese press discuss Benfica's search for new wingers.
https://sportwitness.co.uk/from-portugal-benficas-squad-problem-brings-fulham-player-back-into-spotlight/
Report: Fulham have £17m offer rejected for midfielder
Fulham Set to Test Trabzonspor Resolve for Chibuike Nwaiwu
Trabzonspor are making no secret of their ambitions for the 2026-27 season, and holding on to Chibuike Nwaiwu appears central to those plans. According to reports from Fotomac, Fulham have already seen a €20 million bid for the Nigerian defender rejected, with the Turkish club determined to keep one of their most influential performers.
After remaining in the title race until the closing weeks of last season, Trabzonspor are focused on building a squad capable of going one step further.
Fulham Remain Interested
The Premier League side are reportedly refusing to walk away from the deal.
"Fulham, who are preparing to exceed 20 million euros for the 22-year-old player, will once again knock on the door of the claret and blue team in the coming days."
That persistence highlights the growing reputation of Nwaiwu across Europe. The defender has become one of Trabzonspor's most valuable assets in a remarkably short period.
Key Figure in Title Ambitions
Trabzonspor signed Nwaiwu from Austrian side Wolfsberger for €5.5 million during the winter transfer window, a deal that now looks exceptional value.
Despite being a central defender, he contributed three goals and one assist in only half a season. His ability to impact both ends of the pitch has made him a cornerstone of the team.
"Only a record offer" appears likely to force Trabzonspor into serious discussions.
For a club with championship ambitions, protecting the spine of the squad remains essential. Nwaiwu represents exactly the type of player they cannot easily replace.
Fulham may return with an improved offer, but Trabzonspor currently hold a strong position and seem determined to keep their rising star.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
As football supporters, this is the type of transfer story that creates both excitement and concern.
Trabzonspor fans will be delighted to see the club standing firm. Too often ambitious teams lose key players just as they begin building genuine momentum. Rejecting €20 million sends a powerful message that the club intends to compete for major honours rather than simply develop talent for sale.
Nwaiwu's impact has clearly been enormous. A defender who contributes goals, assists and leadership qualities is difficult to find, particularly at just 22 years of age.
There is always a danger when Premier League clubs become involved. Fulham possess financial resources that many Turkish clubs cannot match and their interest appears genuine rather than speculative.
That said, supporters should take confidence from Trabzonspor's stance. The club seem fully aware of Nwaiwu's importance and are not rushing into negotiations.
If a record breaking bid eventually arrives, the conversation may change. Every club has a valuation.
For now, though, this feels like a statement of intent. Trabzonspor are aiming for a title challenge and keeping their best players is often the first step towards achieving it. Fans will hope Nwaiwu remains at the heart of that ambition for at least another season
https://eplindex.com/147543/report-fulham-have-17m-offer-rejected-for-midfielder.html
Fulham transfer news: Trabzonspor reject N31 billion offer for Super Eagles star
Trabzonspor have made a firm decision over the future of Super Eagles defender Chibuike Nwaiwu amid growing interest ahead of the summer transfer window, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nwaiwu only joined the Black Sea Storm in a €5.5 million move from Austrian side Wolfsberger during the winter transfer window, but he has already attracted attention from Premier League club Fulham, Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen and Italian side Lazio.
The 22-year-old centre-back quickly established himself as a key figure in Trabzonspor's defence and went on to make 21 appearances in all competitions, missing only two matches from his debut until the end of the season.
He played the full 90 minutes as Trabzonspor defeated Konyaspor 2-1, with fellow Nigerian Paul Onuachu scoring both goals to secure the Turkish Cup title last month, marking their first trophy since lifting the Turkish Super Cup in 2022.
Nwaiwu's impressive form also earned him a call-up to the Super Eagles under head coach Eric Chelle and he came on for his debut in Nigeria's 2-1 win over Iran in March. The young defender also featured in both matches of the Unity Cup triumph last month, where he formed an important defensive partnership with Igor Ogbu.
Despite arriving only midway through the season, Nwaiwu's performances have caught the attention of top clubs, raising the possibility of another move just months after his arrival in Turkey.
Trabzonspor reject Fulham's bid for Nwaiwu
According to Fotomac, Trabzonspor have reportedly rejected a Fulham offer worth up to €20 million, approximately N31 billion, for Nwaiwu.
Fulham are already planning for the future, with Morocco international Issa Diop's contract set to expire at the end of next season. Calvin Bassey's deal also runs out at the same time, although the club have an option to extend his contract by a further year.
The Cottagers want Nwaiwu to be integrated into the squad early, especially if either Diop or Bassey fails to agree a new contract and leaves next summer.
The Premier League club are understood to have stepped up their pursuit of the Nigerian defender, moving ahead of Bayer Leverkusen and Lazio, as they look to strengthen their defensive options ahead of next season under new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
However, Trabzonspor's rejection shows they are under no pressure to sell. The Black Sea Storm will only consider letting Nwaiwu leave if they receive a record-breaking offer that surpasses the €30 million Brighton paid Fenerbahce for Ferdi Kadioglu in 2024, making the Super Eagles defender the most expensive sale in Turkish football history.
Fulham are expected to return with an improved offer in the coming weeks and if a deal is agreed between both clubs, it would see Nwaiwu link up with his countrymen, Bassey and Alex Iwobi at Craven Cottage.
https://soccernet.ng/2026/06/fulham-trabzonspor-super-eagles.html
Leeds United hold talks to sign Harry Wilson
Leeds United are hoping to sign Harry Wilson on a free transfer, and they will face competition from Aston Villa.
According to an update by Ben Jacobs, Harry Wilson is the subject of interest from Leeds United. The Whites have already opened talks with the Fulham winger regarding a Bosman move.
Meanwhile, Wilson has also been linked with Everton, while Ben Jacobs has suggested that he is also a target for Benfica. The 29-year-old Welsh International is out of contract with Fulham, and he is expected to be on the move soon despite the West London club's efforts to keep him at Craven Cottage.
Leeds are looking to add more quality to the attacking unit, and they believe that the former Liverpool prospect would be an excellent addition. Wilson enjoyed an impressive 2025/26 campaign with the West London club, and he could prove to be a very handy option in the final third for Leeds United and Aston Villa.
The Whites will be hoping to continue playing in the Premier League, and they need to improve the team to do so. They need more quality in the final third. Leeds were overly dependent on Dominic Calvert-Lewin last season. They need more players who can create opportunities in the final third and find the back of the net.
Wilson has shown that he can score goals consistently, and there is no doubt that he can create opportunities as well. The 29-year-old scored 11 goals and picked up eight assists in the recently concluded campaign.
The Welsh international has an exceptional left foot, and he could be an asset when it comes to delivering set-pieces as well. Signing a player of his quality and experience on a free transfer could be a masterstroke from Leeds.
Wilson could be tempted to join Aston Villa
On the other hand, Aston Villa are looking to build on a successful season. They won the UEFA Europa League and secured Champions League football for the upcoming campaign. They will want to maintain this level and keep improving the team. The Villans need a deeper squad to do well in the league and in Europe.
Signing someone like Wilson, who can be a versatile asset in the attacking unit, would be a wise decision. He can operate on either flank or centrally. He will add goals and creativity to the team. The opportunity to play for a team in the Champions League will be exciting for the Welsh International as well. It remains to be seen where he ends up.
https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/06/20/leeds-united-hold-talks-to-sign-harry-wilson/
Sunderland Are Set To Rival Fulham For This Serie A Defender: Should Le Bris Snap Him Up?
In a recent report, ParmaLive claimed that Sunderland are set to rival Fulham for Parma defender Mariano Troilo. It has been stated that the Black Cats are eyeing a move to acquire the services of the Argentine centre-back in this transfer period.
Troilo's Impressive Form In Serie A
The 22-year-old managed to prove his worth at times with his performances at the heart of Troilo's defence in the previous campaign. Troilo made 23 appearances for the Italian club last season, scoring one goal across all fronts.
The Brazilian talent is currently one of the most gifted young centre-backs in Serie A. Thus, it is no wonder that the Black Cats are hoping to land him this off-season.
His current contract at Parma will run out in the summer of 2030, which could make it tough for Sunderland to sign him later this year.
Will Sunderland Boss Regis Le Bris Snap Troilo Up This Summer?
Troilo is a good tackler of the ball and can read the danger well to secure possession back for his side on the defensive end of the field. He doesn't mind putting his foot through the ball when the opposition are on the front foot and is proficient at playing his way out from the back.
Standing at 1.94m, the Argentine sensation can use his strong frame to dominate the opposition attackers in the air. However, it remains to be seen whether he can adapt to the high intensity of the Premier League if Sunderland manage to get a deal over the line for him in this summer transfer window.
We can expect Troilo to add more bite and steel to Regis Le Bris' defence. He has what it takes to fight for a regular starting place at the Stadium of Light in the coming seasons.
At 22, Troilo has got a promising future ahead of him, which makes him a decent choice for the Black Cats to consider this summer. He will also help the Wearside club compete across all fronts in the future. Hence, Le Bris would be wise to go all out to snap him up before the end of this transfer period.
https://the4thofficial.net/2026/06/sunderland-are-set-to-rival-fulham-for-this-serie-a-defender/