28-year-old Fulham player impresses on international duty
Fulham star Joao Palhinha put in another great performance for Portugal as they defeated Iceland last night.
According to the Portuguese media, the 28-year-old put in another fine display as he looks to secure his place in the side ahead of next summer's European Championship.
There will be a few Fulham representatives at the Euros next year at this rate.
Marek Rodak helped Slovakia confirm their place at the tournament, while Timothy Castagne is likely to be in the Belgium squad.
Midfielder Sasa Lukic will hope to be in the Serbia line-up while Harry Wilson and Luke Harris's chances of being there with Wales are hanging by a thread.
Palhinha helped Portugal defeat Iceland 2-0 last night with Bruno Fernandes and Ricardo Horta scoring the goals.
Fernandes and Palhinha clashed at times during Fulham's 1-0 loss to Manchester United recently in the Premier League.
The Fulham man was harshly booked for a tackle on his international teammate, but they were all smiles when Fernandes nailed Palhinha later in the game.
The pair clearly work very well together on the international stage with Portugal maintaining a 100%-win rate in qualification.
Palhinha performs for Portugal against Iceland
Portuguese outlet Record gave Palhinha a 3/5 and said: "Strong at turning the game and speeding up Portugal's play with long passes, especially in the first half, as well as compensating for the frequent runs by Rúben Dias and Gonçalo Inácio.
"On the other hand, a 'hard' tackle earned him a yellow."
For Fulham fans, Record's description of Palhinha's performance sounds very familiar.
His long passing is one of his strong points in possession but isn't something we always necessarily see.
Marco Silva prefers him to play it short into the feet of Alex Iwobi, Andreas Pereira or Willian but it's always a skill he has in his locker.
Palhinha's picking up a yellow card against Iceland is something both Portugal and Fulham fans can very much expect at this point.
His tackling is extremely good but he does get penalised quickly by referees when he times one wrong.
Losing him for the match against Wolves next week is far from ideal, but wouldn't be as bad as if he moved on in January.
Bayern are sniffing around again despite his new contract and it's hard to see how Fulham find a like-for-like replacement for such an impressive player.
Hopefully, he can stay until at least the summer and put in some top performance in Germany to push his asking price even further.
https://www.fulham.news/2023/11/20/28-year-old-fulham-player-impresses-on-international-duty/
Internationals: Stanno Makes U21 Debut!
Jay Stansfield almost marked his England Under-21s debut with a goal on Saturday, when he was denied by the post after a neat swivel on the edge of the box. Nevertheless, the Young Lions soared to a 3-0 win against Serbia.
Timothy Castagne put in a brilliant performance yesterday for Belgium, grabbing an assist and having a goal ruled out as his side ran out 5-0 winners against Azerbaijan to make it eight games without defeat.
João Palhinha got 90 minutes under his belt for Portugal, who beat Iceland 2-0 to further extend their lead at the top of Group J.
Saša Lukić and Serbia secured Euros qualfication yesterday after picking up a 2-2 draw against Bulgaria. The midfielder put in a positive performance for 76 minutes before being replaced.
Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi both started in Nigeria's draw with Zimbabwe, while Harry Wilson and Wales' chances of qualification were dented after they picked up a point against Armenia.
Marek Rodák was given the nod for Slovakia, who also confirmed qualification after continuing their impressive run of results with a 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
George Okkas got himself on the scoresheet for Cyprus Under-21s with an unbelievable solo goal, but despite giving his side the lead, it ended in a 2-1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It was a tough international opener for Adrion Pajaziti, with Albania Under-21s falling to a 5-0 defeat against Romania in the first of their two important Euro Qualifiers. Adrion featured for 82 minutes before being replaced.
Albania will need to show a reaction tomorrow, when they face Montenegro.
Wales Under-21s continued their impressive unbeaten run in the qualfiers, beating Iceland 1-0 on Thursday. Luke Harris played the full 90 minutes, while Jay Williams remained an unused substitute on this occasion.
The boys feature again this evening against Denmark.
Kristian Šekularac enjoyed a memorable Under-21 debut for Switzerland, who fired five past Armenia to climb to the top of Group E. Kristian was introduced with just over 10 minutes remaining and he'll be hoping to get some more minutes under his belt on Tuesday, when they face Romania.
Ollie O'Neill came on for the final seven minutes against Norway Under-21s but couldn't help Republic of Ireland battle back from behind. Ollie and his team have another huge game on Tuesday against group leaders Italy, who currently only sit one point above them.
Ibane Bowat and Kieron Bowie both started on Friday for Scotland Under-21s, who beat Belgium 2-0 to make it three wins on the bounce in the qualifiers. They'll be looking to close the gap on group leaders Spain on Tuesday, when they go head-to-head with Hungary.
Finally, after making his international debut for England last week, Martial Godo will be back in action later today when England's Elite League Squad face another tough test, this time against Germany.
https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/november/20/Internationals-Stanno-Makes-U21-Debut/
Fulham unwilling to cough up €30 million to sign Antonio Nusa
Fulham are not ready to fork out €30 million to acquire the services of 18-year-old Club Brugge sensation Antonio Nusa.
According to a report by Fichajes, Fulham are looking for attacking reinforcement in the winter transfer window, and they have their eyes set on Antonio Nusa. The 18-year-old sensation has made quite a name for himself with impressive performances of late, and he is on the radar of some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Chelsea.
After coming through the ranks at Stabæk, Nusa joined Club Brugge in the summer of 2021. He has gone from strength to strength since and has featured in a total of 53 matches and has also contributed towards nine goals.
In the ongoing season, the teenager has featured in nine league games and has contributed towards four goals. His impressive performances have not gone unnoticed and quite a few clubs are looking to push for his signatures.
While the Norwegian international has a contract with the Belgian club until the summer of 2027, he is expected to join a bigger club in 2024 given the amount of interest in him. Fulham are one of the clubs keen on having him in their ranks.
The Cottagers have been monitoring him for a while now, and they want to land him at the club in the winter window. Marco Silva wants to add more firepower to his ranks. Fulham have not been able to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic yet, and signing a new striker is a priority for them.
While Nusa is quite young and might not be able to produce performances like Mitrovic in the initial years, he can eventually fill those big boots. He has huge potential and could be a great signing for the short as well as long-term.
Fulham are desperate to have him in their ranks, but they are not ready to meet the asking price of €30 million set by Club Brugge. They will look to reduce the asking price by negotiating with the Belgian club as they look to beat the competition for his services.
Even Chelsea are keen on having him in their ranks. The Blues have been monitoring him and he does fit their transfer policy which has revolved around signing young players with huge potential. However, the West London club are looking at him as an option for the summer. As a result, the Cottagers are currently front-runners for his signatures.
https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2023/11/20/fulham-unwilling-to-cough-up-e30-million-to-sign-antonio-nusa/
Exclusive: Liverpool, Newcastle dealt blow in pursuit of Dortmund star as door opens for Crystal Palace and Fulham
Liverpool and Newcastle United could be handed a blow in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund attacking talent Youssoufa Moukoko, TEAMtalk has learned.
Liverpool and Newcastle target Moukoko is set for talks at Dortmund by the start of next month that will dictate whether he could head to the Premier League in January.
The Germany Under-21 international scored against Estonia on Friday and has six goals from three outings in the international set-up this season. But he continues to struggle for minutes at club level, with his only start coming in the DFB Pokal.
His nine outings in the Bundesliga and Champions League add up to a total of just 136 minutes and discussions are going to take place over whether he will now become available on a loan deal in January.
Moukoko, 19, has been hot on the radar of Liverpool and Newcastle over the past year and while sources at both clubs confirm they have scouting reports on him, they are also playing down the chances of him arriving this winter. That is more to do with having more pressing issues to deal with in the market though than them losing interest in the player.
But there are other opportunities that could open up. Forward Moukoko is hungry for extended game time and sources say he is confident he could cut it in the Premier League, even if not playing for one of the leading clubs.
Chelsea will be alerted to any potential availability as insiders at Stamford Bridge have confirmed to TEAMtalk that they have long-standing interest in the player.
The Blues are currently undecided on their policy in terms of signing a striker in January, as they waver over the prospect of waiting to spend big on Victor Osimhen than attempt to level-up on Nicolas Jackson in January.
Door opens for Fulham and Crystal Palace swoop
A loan could change that but other options in London, including Crystal Palace and Fulham, will open up if Moukoko looks for a path in to English football.
Clubs in Germany are already touching base with Dortmund about his availability, with Cologne most keen, and the player still has a desire to prove he can cut it at Signal Iduna Park long-term.
Real Madrid also have an eye on Moukoko for the long-term, following the success of Jude Bellingham who made the switch from Dortmund. Bellingham is believed to be good friends with his former Dortmund teammate which could play a part in Real's plans to sign Moukoko.
At the moment, talk of a possible loan that seems to have most potential for January but one source told TEAMtalk that a permanent move would not be out of the question as it is unclear how he fits into the picture at his current club.
The Germany under-21 international put pen to paper on a new deal in January 2023 that runs until 2026 but could leave as early as January on a temporary deal.
https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-liverpool-newcastle-chelsea-dealt-blow-pursuit-borussia-dortmund-star-door-opens-crystal-palace-fulham
Player 'still wants' to leave Fulham – No agreement yet with Silva's side for January transfer
On transfer deadline day, Fulham star João Palhinha was set to seal a move to Bayern Munich, before the deal collapsed at the last minute. Then in September, the midfielder signed a new deal with the Premier League side until 2028.
That hasn't stopped the Bundesliga side from keeping an eye on the 28-year-old as he's still on their transfer agenda for January. This was confirmed by Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund earlier this month.
Recent claims have stated the Fulham star will join the Bavarian club in the winter market – as if it's already a done deal, but this has now been dismissed by Bild journalist Christian Falk. He took to X, formerly Twitter, to state that these reports aren't true.
He further adds the Portugal international 'still wants' to join the German champions in the next window.
However, Bayern haven't made an offer to Marco Silva's side and they don't have an agreement in place with them yet for Palhinha.
Last week, the player admitted his failed move to Bayern "really affected" him and also raised doubts over his long-term future at Fulham.
Palhinha has scored two goals from 12 games this season.
http://sportwitness.co.uk/player-still-wants-leave-fulham-no-agreement-yet-silvas-side-january-transfer/
Chelsea, Tottenham and Fulham 'chasing' Norwegian wonderkid
Chelsea, Tottenham and Fulham have all been linked with a move for a Norwegian starlet who plays in Belgium.
Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham are embroiled in a three-way transfer race to sign Norwegian star boy Anontio Nusa, according to recent reports.
Spurs are looking to bolster their attacking ranks, following a slew of injuries - meanwhile, Fulham will attempt to improve their squad after a lacklustre start to the 2023/24 Premier League season.
While none of the clubs mentioned have made an official approach for the 18-year-old as of yet, it is understood that they are all interested. Currently, he is under contract at Club Brugge until the summer of 2027. He can play anywhere across the attacking line - including on both wings and in the striker position.
So far this season, Nusa has made 17 appearances across all competitions for Brugge, scoring a pair of goals and notching up three assists. He made his debut for the Belgian club back in 2021, having made 38 appearances and scoring four goals for them in the Juliper Pro League since then.
Additionally, despite being just 18, he has already won four senior caps for Norway, scoring a single goal on the international stage. He also made several appearances for Norway at various levels of their youth ranks.
What will it take to seal a deal for Antonio Nusa?
Being one of football's most exciting rising stars, Brugge are keen to hold onto Nusa - they will not let him go without a fight. Reports suggest that he will cost any of his potential suitors a tidy sum to the tune of £30 million. As such, bringing Nusa on board would not be without its risks for any of the London clubs who have been linked with a move for the player. It would take out a large chunk of Tottenham and Fulham's respective transfer budgets, while Chelsea must rein in their high spending to avoid being hit with Financial Fair Play sanctions.
https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/spurs/chelsea-tottenham-hotspur-and-fulham-chasing-norwegian-wonderkid-4415995
Club Haven't Got Deal With Fulham For Cottagers Star
Bayern Munich have no agreement with Fulham to sign Cottagers star Joao Palhinha in January and any switch will depend on the Premier League side's asking price.
The Portuguese international almost joined the German giants in the summer but the deal collapsed on transfer deadline day.
Fulham agreed to a €65m deal for the defensive midfielder, but the Premier League side refused to sell as they could not find a replacement for him.
Now he is back, playing in Marco Silva's team as an important player and he also signed a new deal with Fulham.
Bayern Munich are still hopeful of completing a deal in January and the player is eager to play for the European giants.
However, according to German daily Bild, Fulham and Bayern Munich are yet to reach an agreement for Palhinha.
Any deal will depend on the asking price that Fulham are willing to accept for the player.
Palhinha still wants to move to Bayern Munich, but there is no deal in place to make that happen.
Now it remains to be seen if Fulham will be prepared to let their star man go to Germany in the middle of the season.
https://insidefutbol.com/2023/11/20/club-havent-got-deal-with-fulham-for-cottagers-star/626849/
Quarter Final: Everton (A) Tickets
Tickets for Fulham's Carabao Cup Quarter-Final clash against Everton will go on sale from Tuesday 21st November, 10am.
Fulham make the trip to Goodison Park to take on Everton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday 19th December, kick-off 7.45pm.
Tickets for this fixture will be released to 2023/24 Season Ticket Holders (four tickets per person) from Tuesday 21st November, 10am. Before going on sale to 2023/24 Members (four tickets per person) on Thursday 23rd November, 10am and then to Supporters with Previous Booking History (four tickets per person) on Monday 27th November, 10am.
Adult tickets for this match are priced at £30, with Over 65's priced at £20, and Juniors priced at £5
BUY TICKETS FROM TUESDAY
Supporters will be able to secure their seats online at tickets.fulhamfc.com or by calling the Fulham FC Ticket Office on 0203 871 0810, or by visiting the Ticket Office in person.
Please note, supporters will need to ensure they are logged in to their OneFulham Account and have linked their ticketing account in order to purchase online. For more information on the OneFulham Account, please click here.
More information about this fixture, can be found here.
https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/november/20/everton-away-tickets/
Fulham signing could be concluded in the 'coming days' – Player 'liked the project'
For the past week, the rumours linking André to Fulham had gone quiet, as the player is currently in international duty with Brazil.
It turns out that journalist Jorge Nicola comes up with very interesting updates on the situation, claiming the Whites are actually quite close to landing the midfielder.
The reporter claims that an 'important source in the market' called him to say Fulham are the 'big favourites' to sign André.
The Whites reportedly placed a €30m offer for the transfer. That was seen by Fluminense as 'pleasing', and the player 'liked the project'.
That's why the transfer is expected to get done in the 'coming days', and the only chance of it collapsing is in case someone comes up with a bigger bid.
Nicola points out that several clubs have been interested in André, with Manchester United being one of them, so they could show up with more money.
Still, Fulham continue to be called the favourites in this race, as they see the Brazilian as a potential replacement for João Palhinha.
Brazil play Argentina on Tuesday night in Rio de Janeiro, so André will probably just take a cab and go home from the Maracanã Stadium.
Then we should have a clearer picture of his situation.
http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-signing-concluded-coming-days-player-liked-project/
Fulham considering pursuing Timo Werner loan deal
Fulham will prioritise a new striker in January.
The Cottagers are among the Premier League's lowest-scoring teams following Aleksandar Mitrovic's lucrative transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in the summer.
And understandably eager to replace the Serbia international's output, which included 14 Premier League goals last season, Marco Silva, according to recent reports, has already begun drawing up his shortlist.
And according to Football Insider, among the Fulham boss' mid-season options are RB Leipzig and Germany forward Timo Werner.
Although a move for the German remains unlikely due to his wages, which are thought to be around £150,000-per week, a possible loan deal has not been ruled out.
During his second spell at Leipzig, Werner, who re-joined the club from Chelsea 18 months ago, has scored 18 goals and provided seven assists in 53 games in all competitions.
Other targets reported to be on Silva's shortlist include Club Brugge striker Antonio Nusa, who has also been heavily linked with a January transfer to Chelsea
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/11/20/fulham-could-pursue-timo-werner-loan-deal/
Report: Spurs locked in three-way battle with London rivals for £30m-rated attacker
Football Insider have claimed that Tottenham Hotspur are set to battle Fulham and Chelsea for Club Brugge sensation Antonio Nusa in January.
Nusa broke into Club Brugge's starting eleven last season and the 18-year-old has made an impressive start to the 2023-24 campaign, with four-goal contributions in nine league matches so far (Transfermarkt).
Tottenham's interest in the versatile attacker came to light last week when Fabrizio Romano told Kick that the Lilywhites are keeping an eye on the youngster.
Fulham, Chelsea and Spurs all like Antonio Nusa
Football Insider have now revealed that Fulham were making advances towards Nusa and have now been joined in the race for the player by Spurs and Chelsea.
It is revealed that Club Brugge do not want to lose the winger, who can play in either flank or up front, given his importance to the side.
The report adds that the Belgian side are likely to hold out for £30m for the Norway international and are hoping that a bidding war ensues from the three London clubs.
Spurs Web Opinion
Nusa is the kind of versatile forward that Tottenham need and the North London club should be able to make a strong case to the 18-year-old that his development would be best served by working with Postecoglou at Hotspur Way.
https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/report-spurs-locked-in-three-way-battle-with-london-rivals-for-30m-rated-attacker/
'A failure' – Fulham deal not living up to expectations, player expected to move on in summer
Signed on loan this summer by Fulham from AC Milan, Fodé Ballo-Touré was very excited about his move to the Premier League.
The full-back was clearly intent on making his mark at Craven Cottage, but he hasn't been given the chance to by Marco Silva.
Calciomercato have a look at the Senegal international's situation at Fulham after a few months, as there appears to be some growing concern in Italy.
It's immediately pointed out the 26-year-old has a grand total of zero minutes in the Premier League, with his only time in a white shirt coming in the League Cup, when he has featured for 159 minutes over two games.
So far, it's clear the deal has been 'a failure', even if Fulham are paying for the entirety of his wages during the temporary spell.
There was hope that a good time in London could leave to AC Milan making a sale of around €3-4m for their player, but that doesn't appear to be on the cards now.
Instead, the player 'will return' to Italy, leaving the Serie A side with the task of finding him a new landing spot, seeing as his contract on the other side of the Channel runs until 2025.
http://sportwitness.co.uk/failure-fulham-deal-not-living-expectations-player-expected-move-summer/
Tottenham target 'days' away from £26m Prem move after turning down Liverpool
Fulham could be just 'days' away from completing the £26 million signing of Fluminense star Andre Trindade despite rival interest from Premier League giants Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Arsenal.
That is the 'exclusive information' provided by Jorge Nicola, one of the most reliable reporters in Brazil indicating that Marco Silva's Cottagers are on the verge of adding another Portuguese-speaker to their roster.
Andre Trindade, perhaps the most exciting young midfielder in the South American nation, is courting interest from Arsenal, Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. Liverpool, meanwhile, have been scouting the 21-year-old for the past 18 months, and saw Andre turn down a move to Anfield over the summer.
So make no mistake. This is a quite the coup for a Fulham side who appear to be closing in on their most eye-catching signing since Joao Palhinha – the man Andre could eventually replace – arrived in West London from Sporting Lisbon.
Liverpool and Tottenham to miss out on Andre Trindade
"I want to give you exclusive information which was brought to me by an important source," Nicola begins, via his official YouTube channel.
"This person called me on Saturday to tell me that an offer of 30 million euros has been passed on to Fluminense. The player (Andre) was pleased (with the offer). He also likes the project presented by the London club and feeling is that the hammer will be beaten in the coming days, unless a new offer appears and overtakes the one from Fulham."
Joao Palhinha's replacement?
Palhinha signed a new contract with the Cottagers recently. German giants Bayern Munich are not taking 'no' for an answer, however, their sporting director indicating recently that another bid could be on the way for the Portuguese powerhouse in January.
Andre, another tough-tackling, defensively-minded midfielder capable of starting attacks as well as stopping them, would go some way to filling a potential Palhinha-shaped void.
"Fulham are looking for a replacement for Joao Palhinha," Nicola adds. "Their idea is to have Andre from January onwards. Manchester United is another one of several interested parties but, at the moment, (Fulham) seem to be the favourite."
Fulham, it should not be forgotten, were very early to the Andre Trindade party.
The Cottagers submitted an £18 million bid long before the scouts were descending on Fluminense like seagulls over a pile of discarded seaside fries, and it seems that all that good work is about to be rewarded.
https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/11/20/tottenham-target-days-away-from-26m-prem-move-after-turning-down-liverpool/
Fulham in pole position to sign £30m "leader" who could replace Palhinha
The Cottagers are at the front of the queue to land a defensive midfielder should they lose their talisman in January.
Fulham are in pole position to bring an exciting overseas player to the Premier League, with a fresh report revealing that he's viewed as a replacement for Joao Palhinha.
Bayern Munich's pursuit of Joao Palhinha
Over the summer, Bayern Munich held a strong interest in Palhinha and came close to completing a deal when the player even flew over to Germany to finalise his move on deadline day, but because Fulham couldn't find a successor, the move fell through at the last minute.
However, Thomas Tuchel's side are now considering another swoop for the talisman at the start of next year, so with Marco Silva now having a bit more time to assess his options in the market, he's set his sights on a potential candidate who he wants to bring to England.
Fluminense's defensive midfielder Andre has worked his way up through his club's various academy ranks to get promoted to their first team where he's so far made a total of 163 appearances across all age levels (Transfermarkt - Andre stats).
The Brazil international has made an outstanding start to the new season having firmly established himself as Fernando Diniz's best-performing defensive player (WhoScored - Fluminense stats), and it's this impressive form which has brought the 22-year-old onto the radar at Craven Cottage.
Fulham leading race to sign Andre
According to The Sunday Mirror (via The Boot Room), Fulham are at the front of the queue for Andre in January. Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Liverpool have also been scouting the central talisman this season, but it's Silva's side who are currently in pole position to secure his services.
Fluminense's starlet is viewed as an ideal replacement for Palhinha should he depart, and it's stated that he could cost approximately £30m to sign.
Craven Cottage could welcome "leader" in Andre
Naturally being a defensive midfielder, Andre's best quality is getting stuck into challenges and trying to win back possession for his team which he's excelled in this season, winning 36 out of his 50 tackles made, more than any other of his fellow teammates (FBRef - Fluminense stats).
The Ibirataia native is also calm and composed on the ball where he's currently recording a 94.7% pass success rate (WhoScored - Andre stats), which is higher than any of Silva's squad have managed to achieve since the start of the campaign (WhoScored - Fulham stats), showing he'd be an upgrade on the boss' current options.
Sponsored by Nike, the in-demand star is even a versatile operator having been deployed in five different positions over the grass since the start of his career, including four roles in the midfield and even at centre-back, highlighting his ability to provide cover in areas outside of his own should any unexpected injuries occur.
Finally, Andre has recently had a taste of what it's like to be successful having been crowned the 2022/23 Copa Libertadores winner, and with his organisational skills having seen him described as a "leader" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, he could be the ideal replacement for Palhinha.
https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league-news-fulham-in-pole-position-to-sign-30m-leader-who-could-replace-palhinha/
Shock claim that Fulham have beaten West Ham to signing of Brazilian star Andre Trindade who Tim Steidten scouted in Copa Libertadores final
A shock claim has been made that Fulham have beaten West Ham to the signing of Brazilian star Andre Trindade who Tim Steidten scouted in Copa Libertadores final.
West Ham's technical director Tim Steidten became an instant hit when he oversaw one of the club's best transfer windows for years in the summer.
The German helped the Hammers spend the Declan Rice money very wisely indeed with the arrivals of Edson Alvarez, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Mohammed Kudus and James Ward-Prowse.
Meanwhile over in west London, Fulham did not do too badly themselves in the summer window. And the Cottagers even managed to resist multiple big money bids from West Ham for star player Joao Palhinha.
Ask any West Ham fan and they'll tell you when Steidten gets on his jet he rarely comes back empty handed.
So there was excitement when we reported on Hammers News about claims from one of our sister sites in Brazil, Vamo Fluminense, that the Hammers had identified Fluminense midfield ace Andre Trindade as a January signing.
The Hammers had a representative – believed to have been Steidten or one of his scouts – at the Maracana on Saturday to watch the Brazilian side's first ever Copa Libertadores win over Boca Juniors.
So too did several clubs including Fulham after being tracked by them, the Hammers and other Premier League sides.
And now there's a shock claim that Fulham have beaten West Ham to signing of Brazilian star Andre Trindade who Steidten scouted in Copa Libertadores final.
Football365 are reporting that Fulham have 'surged into the lead' for Andre – who has made two appearances for the Brazil senior team.
So it seems all the way back in July 90min may have called it when they stated Fulham were 'hoping' to sign the defensive midfield ace ahead of West Ham and others.
Of all the positions West Ham need to strengthen in the January window, defensive midfield is surely one of the lowest priorities.
Yes the Hammers need to be ready to pounce for top talent as and when they become available.
But signing a striker is the clear focus for West Ham above all else right now.
Especially following the serious injury sustained by Michail Antonio and the fact David Moyes will likely lose Mohammed Kudus, Said Benrahma and Maxwel Cornet to AFCON for five or six games between January and February.
https://www.hammers.news/transfer-news/shock-claim-that-fulham-have-beaten-west-ham-to-signing-of-brazilian-star-andre-trindade-who-tim-steidten-scouted-in-copa-libertadores-final/
Report: Fulham are now ahead of Spurs and Arsenal in hunt for Brazilian starlet
In what comes as a potential blow to Tottenham in their pursuit of Brazilian sensation, Andre Trindade, The Sunday Mirror (19/11; page 74, via TBR Football) have claimed that Fulham are now leading the race to sign the Fluminense youngster.
Andre has emerged as one of the best young talents in Brazilian football over the last couple of years and with the defensive midfielder now having broken into the Selecao set-up, a move to Europe seems on the horizon for the youngster.
Tottenham's interest in the 22-year-old came to light a little over a week ago when Lance claimed that the North London club sent scouts to watch the youngster in action in the Copa Libertadores final, where Fluminense beat Boca Juniors 2-1.
It was subsequently reported by talkSPORT last week that Spurs face competition from the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United for the midfielder.
Fulham now front of the queue for Andre
The Sunday Mirror have now said that Andre looks destined to be the next Brazilian prospect to make his way to the Premier League, with a January exit now looking quite likely.
The outlet reveals that while scouts from Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool have watched the youngster, it is Fulham who have now moved into pole position in the race.
The publication adds that the Cottagers have identified Andre as their top target to replace Joao Palhinha, who is the subject of interest from Bayern Munich.
Spurs Web Opinion
I fully expect Tottenham to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of Andre and to try and convince the youngster that working under a coach like Postecoglou would be ideal for his development.
However, the 22-year-old and his entourage might feel that a stepping stone at a mid-table club like Fulham would be the best move for the player's career.
https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/report-fulham-are-now-ahead-of-spurs-and-arsenal-in-hunt-for-brazilian-starlet/
Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur 'to rival Fulham for Antonio Nusa'
Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to rival Fulham in the race to sign Club Brugge forward Antonio Nusa.
The 18-year-old is understood to have caught the eye of a number of European clubs since breaking into the Club Brugge senior side in 2021.
Nusa has already featured 54 times for the Belgian outfit in all competitions and was primarily used an impact substitute last season, but he has since been given more first-team opportunities in the current campaign.
Indeed, the teenager has started nine of his 17 appearances for Club Brugge in 2023-24, scoring twice and setting up two more in the Belgian Pro League.
Nusa was handed his first senior international call-up for Norway in September and he contributed with a goal and assist on his debut in a 6-0 friendly win over Jordan, before providing three assists across two Euro 2024 qualifiers against Georgia and Cyprus.
Although Nusa still has just over three years remaining on his contract with Club Brugge, the versatile forward has been tipped to join a bigger club and make the next step in his career.
A recent report claims that Fulham have identified Nusa as a possible transfer target, as manager Marco Silva looks to bolster his ranks in the final third.
However, the Cottagers could face stern competition from London rivals Chelsea and Spurs, as Football Insider claims that the Premier League pair hold an 'ongoing interest' in the Norwegian.
The report adds that Club Brugge do not want to lose Nusa in the January transfer window as they as still going strong in both the Belgian Pro League and Europa League.
However, a bid in the region of £30m could be enough to persuade the Blauw-Zwart to part ways with the highly-rated starlet.
It is understood that Club Brugge would ideally hope to see a bidding war materialise between the likes of Chelsea and Spurs which could force the forward's asking price to rise.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is believed to be keen to strengthen his attacking options within the next two transfer windows and Nusa has emerged as one of many players on the Blues' radar along with Napoli's Victor Osimhen, Brighton & Hove Albion's Evan Ferguson and Copenhagen's Roony Bardghji.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have yet to replace Harry Kane, who joined Bayern Munich in the summer, while the lengthy absences of Manor Solomon, Ivan Perisic and Richarlison – the latter of whom underwent groin surgery earlier this month – could force Ange Postecoglou's side to delve into the January market for a new attacker.
https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/chelsea/transfer-talk/news/chelsea-spurs-to-rival-fulham-for-antonio-nusa_529456.html?newsnow
Fulham to devastate Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and seal €30m deal for destructive midfielder 'in days'
Fulham look poised to stun a trio of more-heralded Premier League rivals by winning the chase to sign top Brazilian midfield talent Andre.
The highly-rated 22-year-old has emerged on the radar of a number of clubs after his outstanding displays for Fluminense over the course of a season that comes to an end next month.
Indeed, the young midfielder has made more than 50 appearances this term and helped the club to a historic first-ever Copa Libertadores triumph earlier this month.
Andre, who is under contract until 2026, has similar style of game to that of Arsenal and England star Declan Rice and has all the attributes to be a success in English football.
And it appears that Fulham are now the firm favourites to sign the Brazilian talent.
Respected journalist Jorge Nicola has given an update on the player's future, with Andre currently away on international duty with Brazil.
Indeed, he started their last outing, a shock 2-1 loss to Colombia as Liverpool's Luiz Diaz scored twice for the home side in front of his returning father.
Nicola claims that an 'important source in the market' called him to say that Fulham are the 'big favourites' to sign Andre.
Fluminense ready to accept €30m offer
The Craven Cottage outfit reportedly placed a €30m offer for the transfer that was viewed as 'pleasing' by Fluminense, while the player himself also 'liked the project'.
The report adds that the transfer is expected to be agreed in the 'coming days', and the only chance of it collapsing is in case someone comes up with a bigger bid.
Nicola points out that several clubs have been interested in Andre, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs all known admirers of the player, while Manchester United are also considered an outside bet.
Fulham are said to be lining up Andre as a replacement for top Cottagers star Joao Palhinha, who continues to be heavily linked with Bayern Munich.
Andre also looks set to get a real test of his talents on Tuesday when Brazil play Argentina in Rio de Janeiro in a critical World Cup qualifier.
A number of scouts are likely to be in attendance for one of the biggest rivalries in world football.
https://www.teamtalk.com/news/fulham-ready-devastate-liverpool-arsenal-tottenham-and-seal-30m-euro-deal-for-destructive-midfielder-in-days
CM: Ballo-Toure yet to get Premier League minutes with return to Milan expected
Fode Ballo-Toure has not played a single minute of Premier League football whilst on loan at Fulham this season and he is set to return to AC Milan at the end of the season, a report claims.
As has been reported by Calciomercato.com, Ballo-Toure has only played two times for the club. Both came in the Carabao Cup and he played 159 minutes overall.
He has not been out injured, he is just not being used by Marco Silva as he favours other options.
He is at Fulham on loan with no option to buy, but they are paying his whole salary. He went there in the hope of more playing time than he could get at Milan but it has not proved to work out that way.
Milan made it clear that he was not part of the project anymore and they hoped to sell him to Fulham next summer, but he is now set to return to Milan at the end of the loan with another year still to run on his deal.
https://sempremilan.com/cm-ballo-toure-premier-league-milan-return
Fulham boss Marco Silva eyes up transfer for Fluminense midfielder Andre... but Arsenal and Liverpool have also enquired about Brazil international in recent months
Fluminense defensive midfielder Andre was courted by Arsenal and Liverpool
Fulham's Marco Silva has highlighted Andre as a replacement for Joao Palhinha
Trent and Bellingham can play together but can't get in each other's way - IAKO
Fulham are continuing talks with Fluminense over a potential deal for midfielder Andre.
The 22-year old has been the subject of enquiries from Liverpool and Arsenal in recent months but he is understood to be high on the list of options for Fulham boss Marco Silva.
Fulham want to line up a defensive midfielder for January in case Bayern Munich revive their bid to sign Joao Palhinha from Craven Cottage.
Liverpool wanted to sign Andre for £20million in the summer but his club were reluctant to let him leave.
They are pushing for the Copa Libertadores and Brazilian championship titles and also want closer to £30m.
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/20/19/78032821-0-image-a-17_1700507971726.jpg)
Fluminense mdifielder Andre has been linked with a move to join Premier League Fulham
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/20/19/78032819-0-image-a-18_1700507975700.jpg)
Liverpool wanted to sign Andre for £20million in the summer but his club were reluctant to let him leave.
Liverpool reverted back to sign Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern and, while they maintain interest in Andre, other clubs have since picked up interest.
Tottenham and Manchester United are also aware of the Brazil international.
Indeed, Andre admits he models a lot of his game on compatriot, United midfielder Casemiro but the Old Trafford club ideally want a centre back and striker first if they are able to recruit in January.
Fulham are emerging as favourites for Andre and also want a striker in January with in-form Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy, 27, among their targets.
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/20/19/78032815-12772213-image-a-19_1700509783595.jpg)
The 22-year-old has admittted he models a lot of his midfield game on compatriot Casemiro
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12772213/Fulham-boss-Marco-Silva-eyes-transfer-Fluminense-midfielder-Andre-Arsenal-Liverpool-enquired-Brazil-international-recent-months.html
Liverpool and Man Utd target Andre to join Premier League rivals 'in coming days'
Fluminense star Andre has attracted plenty of interest over the past 12 months, with a bidding war for his services previously anticipated in January.
Fluminense midfielder Andre is reportedly set to join Fulham 'in the coming days' with Marco Silva's side set to secure the signature of one of South America's most sought-after stars. The playmaker has attracted interest from Liverpool and Manchester United, among other top sides, but is said to have highlighted a move to Craven Cottage as the best next step in his career.
Jurgen Klopp orchestrated a major rebuild of his squad over the summer, focusing on breathing a new lease of life into his squad. Several of his ageing stars, such as Jordan Henderson and James Milner, were allowed to depart in order to create space for fresh faces.
Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo were all signed, though the midfield reshuffle is far from complete. Liverpool have been linked with in-demand star Andre recently, and an approach was anticipated in January.
Arsenal, among other outfits, pushed to sign the 22-year-old over the summer but Fluminense pushed back all approaches, insisting that they would only entertain bids In January once the Copa Libertadores had concluded. As a result, the interest in Andre was expected to make for one of the most significant sagas of the upcoming window given the sheer number of interested outfits.
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1837127/Liverpool-transfer-news-Man-Utd-Andre-Fulham-Premier-League
Fulham Loan Star Tipped To Return To Parent Club
Fulham loan star Fode Ballo-Toure is set to return to his parent club AC Milan at the end of the season after failing to make his mark with the Cottagers, it has been claimed in Italy.
The 26-year-old was one of Fulham's last-ditch signings, arriving only after the approval of their deal sheet.
However, Ballo-Toure's move to England has not been a happy one as he has failed to make an impression on Fulham boss Marco Silva.
The 46-year-old Portuguese is yet to play Ballo-Toure in the Premier League and has used him just twice in the EFL Cup.
Fulham do have the option of making Ballo-Toure's move permanent at the end of the spell, though for that to happen the AC Milan-contracted player will need to have a positive season in England.
With that not happening, the Senegal international is set to return to his parent club at the end of June, according to Italian outlet Calciomercato.com.
The player had multiple offers in the summer but refused to accept them before eventually choosing Fulham.
He is surplus to requirements at AC Milan, but barring an unexpected turnaround at Fulham, he will be returning to AC Milan.
https://insidefutbol.com/2023/11/20/fulham-loan-star-tipped-to-return-to-parent-club/626883/
Crystal Palace, Fulham join Liverpool and Newcastle United in Youssoufa Moukoko chase
Crystal Palace and Fulham are showing an interest in Youssoufa Moukoko, with Liverpool and Newcastle United already monitoring his situation.
According to Team Talk, Fulham and Crystal Palace have joined in the chase to sign Youssoufa Moukoko before the January window. Liverpool and Newcastle United are already monitoring the 19-year-old's situation at Borussia Dortmund, with a decision seemingly imminent on the forward.
Youssoufa Moukoko signed a new deal with Borussia Dortmund over the summer after much deliberation and speculation surrounding his future. The 19-year-old was entering the final year of his contract, which seemed like a risk for the German side, as they could have lost one of Germany's top young talents on the cheap.
The contract, now signed until 2026, allows Dortmund to dictate the terms of his future. After reaching decent heights last season, he has struggled for relevance this time. Moukoko has played nine games in all competitions, but those have totalled only 136 minutes, which appears terrible for a player of that quality.
Speculation surrounding his future have resurfaced ahead of the January window, with some English sides seemingly keen on signing him. Chelsea have retained an interest alongside Liverpool and Newcastle United. The Blues could consider signing him for the right price, but so far, they are keen on signing a more established striker option.
Liverpool and Newcastle United could battle it out if they come close to Dortmund's €35-40 million asking price. Whether those two sides need someone like Moukoko remains the question, but he brings quality and squad depth options.
Meanwhile, Fulham and Crystal Palace have been alerted to the possibility of the forward's availability on a loan deal. Dortmund do not appear overly convinced of selling him so soon after signing a new contract, which would make them consider a temporary exit for the 19-year-old.
Palace and Fulham desperately need goals, as they want to sign a new striker. The Cottagers have not replaced Aleksandar Mitrovic since his summer departure, while the Eagles still need to sign a new striker despite numerous links to multiple names.
They will stand a chance if Dortmund only considers a temporary move away. Such a situation could also benefit the 19-year-old, who could see the opportunity to enter English football. In the case of a permanent departure, Moukoko might prefer to sign for a bigger side like Liverpool or Newcastle United.
https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2023/11/21/crystal-palace-fulham-join-liverpool-and-newcastle-united-in-youssoufa-moukoko-chase/
Quote from: WhiteJC on November 21, 2023, 12:08:22 AMFulham considering pursuing Timo Werner loan deal
Fulham will prioritise a new striker in January.
The Cottagers are among the Premier League's lowest-scoring teams following Aleksandar Mitrovic's lucrative transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in the summer. And understandably eager to replace the Serbia international's output, which included 14 Premier League goals last season, Marco Silva, according to recent reports, has already begun drawing up his shortlist. And according to Football Insider, among the Fulham boss' mid-season options are RB Leipzig and Germany forward Timo Werner.
Although a move for the German remains unlikely due to his wages, which are thought to be around £150,000-per week, a possible loan deal has not been ruled out. During his second spell at Leipzig, Werner, who re-joined the club from Chelsea 18 months ago, has scored 18 goals and provided seven assists in 53 games in all competitions. Other targets reported to be on Silva's shortlist include Club Brugge striker Antonio Nusa, who has also been heavily linked with a January transfer to Chelsea
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/11/20/fulham-could-pursue-timo-werner-loan-deal/
I know I sound like a broken record, but I absolutely do NOT want to see FFC chasing this player. No thank you!
Quote from: WindyCity on November 21, 2023, 04:09:12 PMQuote from: WhiteJC on November 21, 2023, 12:08:22 AMFulham considering pursuing Timo Werner loan deal
Fulham will prioritise a new striker in January.
The Cottagers are among the Premier League's lowest-scoring teams following Aleksandar Mitrovic's lucrative transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in the summer. And understandably eager to replace the Serbia international's output, which included 14 Premier League goals last season, Marco Silva, according to recent reports, has already begun drawing up his shortlist. And according to Football Insider, among the Fulham boss' mid-season options are RB Leipzig and Germany forward Timo Werner.
Although a move for the German remains unlikely due to his wages, which are thought to be around £150,000-per week, a possible loan deal has not been ruled out. During his second spell at Leipzig, Werner, who re-joined the club from Chelsea 18 months ago, has scored 18 goals and provided seven assists in 53 games in all competitions. Other targets reported to be on Silva's shortlist include Club Brugge striker Antonio Nusa, who has also been heavily linked with a January transfer to Chelsea
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/11/20/fulham-could-pursue-timo-werner-loan-deal/
I know I sound like a broken record, but I absolutely do NOT want to see FFC chasing this player. No thank you!
probably paper talk .