Saturday Fulham Stuff - 02/09/23...

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Fulham: Journalist lifts lid on "serious" Hojbjerg bid
The Dane was subject to a dramatic late approach alongside Fode Ballo-Toure.

Journalist Paul Brown has shared some detail behind a "serious" last-gasp deadline day Fulham bid to sign Tottenham star Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Fulham deadline day signings
Despite the links to a plethora of stars very late in the window, Fulham did little business yesterday but did manage to seal a dramatic late loan move for AC Milan defender Fode Ballo-Toure.

The Senegal international, who plays as a left-back, joins Adama Traore, Raul Jimenez, Calvin Bassey, Steven Benda, Alex Iwobi and former Leicester City defender Timothy Castagne as Marco Silva's main summer signings.

Fulham were also boosted by star midfielder Joao Palhinha remaining at the club, as his proposed move to Bayern Munich collapsed in the eleventh hour.

The Portugal international had even travelled for a medical with Bayern, but the Whites ultimately didn't give the green light to the move, possibly because they couldn't source a late replacement.

Hojbjerg, who was a mainstay for Spurs under Antonio Conte last season, has found game time difficult to come by in Ange Postecoglou's new-look Tottenham system.

The Dane, as a result, was being chased by Fulham during the latter stages of the summer window - with journalist Brown sharing what he's heard on the matter to GiveMeSport.

Indeed, it is believed Fulham were the "last club" to make a "serious" last-ditch offer to sign Hojbjerg, but the move didn't come to fruition.

The former Southampton star is now left in "limbo" as a result of this, as explained by Brown to GMS:
"Hojbjerg is also one who isn't going to be allowed to leave. I think Fulham were the last club to make a serious offer, but they no longer need to decide what to do about how they replace Joao Palhinha, and I'm not sure he was their first choice there.

"So, he's currently in limbo. It is interesting that Ange Postecoglou also said today that he's not going to be freezing anyone out. If any of the fringe players they're trying to sell end up staying beyond the deadline, they will be reintegrated.

"He's not quite as strict on squad numbers as other managers and he is willing to work with a slightly bigger squad, while he says that right now it's not a problem in terms of numbers in training or anything like that.

How good is Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg?
While Palhinha staying reduces the need for Hojbjerg, in a hypothetical universe, he may well have been a capable deputy for the ex-Sporting CP ace.

The Denmark international ranked as one of Spurs' best-performing players per 90 last term, according to WhoScored, with Hojbjerg also registering the highest pass accuracy (88.6%) of any Tottenham player with over 10 starts.

He chipped in with nine goal contributions in the league, four goals and five assists specifically, and former Spurs keeper Paul Robinson praised Hojbjerg for his performances at the back end of last year.

"I've been surprised by how much he has stepped up this year," said Robinson to Football Insider.

"I thought he was the one who would make way for Yves Bissouma. The club spent a lot of money on Bissouma. I think Hojbjerg recognised that and stepped up.

"He is playing to a level that we have never seen before. He is playing his best football in a Spurs shirt."



https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league-fulham-news-pierre-emile-hojbjerg-deadline-day/

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'Last Minute': Fulham Complete 'Surprise Deal' for International Defender – Romano
The transfer window may have closed at 11 p.m. BST on September 1. But deals were still being completed after this time, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that a "surprise deal" had been done by Fulham for AC Milan defender Fode Ballo-Toure.

Fode Ballo-Toure Joins Fulham as 'Surprise Deal Completed'
Deal Sheet On for Fode Ballo-Toure
Romano had reported that Fulham had a "last minute" deal sheet in for the loan signing of Toure from Serie A giants AC Milan. Initially, it seemed any deal would include an option to buy, but Romano has since confirmed there is no such clause.

Marco Silva Bags 26-Year-Old Left Back
Toure is a Senegalese left-back, and his surprise signing will see him give competition to Antonee Robinson, giving Silva much-needed strength in depth.

At Milan, the defender has struggled to gain the left-back berth on a regular basis and will see the Premier League as an ideal opportunity to try a new challenge with the Cottagers.

Having made just 26 appearances for the red and black side of Milan. Toure will be keen to prove his worth in a new league and country.

Fode Ballo-Toure Swaps Milan for West London
He was not part of AC Milan's pre-season tour, seemingly making him surplus to requirements. In the 2022/23 season, he only managed 650 minutes in 14 appearances.

The full-back is quick and covers a lot of ground. He will provide energy and width for Fulham, as he often overlaps the wide midfielder, who can drift inside to create the space for Toure to attack.

He still has two years remaining on his current deal and will not be giving up on making the grade in Serie A just yet, with a stint in the Premier League a perfect opportunity to show good form and match fitness.



https://lastwordonsports.com/football/2023/09/02/surprise-deal-completed-fulham-ballo-toure/

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Iwobi says he had a good relationship with Leno at Arsenal, reveals conversations with Bassey
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has revealed his familiarity with new Fulham teammates Bernd Leno and Calvin Bassey and the conversation he had with the latter before signing for the Cottagers on transfer deadline day.

Iwobi was one of the last two players signed by Fulham in the just-concluded transfer window with the other being Fodé Ballo Touré.

The Hale End Academy product ended his four-year association with Everton after putting pen to paper on a five-year deal with Fulham.

Iwobi is no stranger to Leno as they were teammates at Arsenal while he is teammates with Bassey at international level.

The 27-year-old has revealed that both have welcomed him and Bassey's excitement to play with him at club level

"I know some couple of the players. Calvin is my little brother and I had a good relationship with Bernd at Arsenal. They've welcomed me already and I am sure everybody in the team is nice as well as them," Iwobi said to FFCtv.

Iwobi revealed that he had conversations with Bassey before his transfer to Fulham.

" I spoke with Calvin quite a lot in the previous week. He was telling me to hurry up, we are waiting for you

"I'm sure I'm going to message him when this is done. He's going to be excited. He's on international duty but he will see me eventually."

Iwobi was Everton's Players' Player of the Year last season and will be hoping to hit the ground running quickly at Craven Cottage.

It is unlikely that the Nigeria international will feature for Marco Silva's side when they face defending champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium today on matchday four of the Premier League.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=48673

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Sean Dyche reveals Everton are 'stretched' and DIDN'T want to sell £22m Alex Iwobi to Fulham - but admits 'the business model is changing'

    Everton have a limited squad after Alex Iwobi's £22million move to Fulham
    Dominic Calvert-Lewin is unfit to play with Michael Keane also out injured
    Toffees Boss insists they didn't want to sell Iwobi to their Premier League rivals

Everton have named just seven substitutes, including two goalkeepers ahead of their Sheffield United clash.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Dyche said: 'It's not ideal. We're stretched.'

He added: 'The business model of the club is changing.

'We didn't want Alex (Iwobi) to leave but you have to good at the reality of the situation.

Everton's limited substitutes come after the summer transfer window saw Alex Iwobi leave at the end of the transfer window for a fee of £22million to Premier League rivals Fulham.

Conor Coady also departed at the end of his loan spell to Leicester City, alongside Neal Maupay who returned to his former club, Brentford.

Dwight McNeil is on the bench for the Toffees, as well as Vitaliy Mykolenko and two goalkeepers Joao Virginia and Andy Lonergan.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is not fit enough to return, and Michael Keane and Lewis Dobbin are out injured.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12473185/Sean-Dyche-reveals-Everton-stretched-DIDNT-want-sell-22m-Alex-Iwobi-Fulham-admits-business-model-changing.html

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"It's come to an end" – Fulham's newbie Alex Iwobi closes Everton era, pens heartfelt goodbye to Toffees
Alex Iwobi has bid farewell to Everton fans after he completed a transfer to Fulham on deadline day, Soccernet.ng reports.

Everton ended their association with the midfielder, marking the conclusion of his four-year tenure at Goodison Park.

The move to Fulham was confirmed in the early hours of today, following Fulham's submission of a deal sheet, allowing them to finalise the deal until 1 am.

During his time at Merseyside, the 27-year-old playmaker featured in 140 matches across all competitions, establishing himself as a versatile squad member.

The decision for the Nigerian international to leave Everton was reached after unsuccessful contract negotiations between the club and the player's representatives. Everton stand to gain a potential fee of £22 million from this transfer.

Reflecting on his journey at Goodison Park in a social media post, Iwobi expressed,

    "What a journey it's been, Toffees. I've shared some of the most intense moments of my career with you all, and it almost feels surreal that it has come to an end.

    "The Alex that arrived at Goodison Park in 2019 isn't the Alex saying goodbye today. I owe that to the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful game we've lived together.

    "Thank you for an unforgettable ride, and I wish you the best of luck, Blues."


Iwobi was Everton Players' Player of the Year last season after his contributions helped the Toffees narrowly escape relegation from the Premier League.

He will join former Arsenal teammate Bernd Leno and Super Eagles compatriot Calvin Bassey at Fulham.




https://soccernet.ng/2023/09/its-come-to-an-end-fulhams-newbie-alex-iwobi-closes-everton-era-pens-heartfelt-goodbye-to-toffees.html

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Gent confident of keeping hold of Tottenham and Fulham target
Het Nieuwsblad are reporting that, with the deadline passed for the Premier League transfer window, Gent will be able to keep hold of Gift Orban. The striker could still attract interest from the Saudi league, where the transfer window remains open until the 7 September. However, with the top leagues in Europe now having their windows shut, the Buffaloes believe that the squad will remain together until at least January. Orban had been of interest to Tottenham after the departure of Harry Kane to Bayern Munich. However, Gent's asking price put Spurs off of trying to sign the young forward. Fulham were also interested.

With Orban remaining, Gent will now certainly be amongst the title favourites. The Nigerian has formed a formidable partnership with Hugo Cuypers, with both being able to score 20 goals in a season. Gent have also been given a reasonably favourable draw in the Conference League. They will face Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk, Maccabi Tel-Aviv of Israel and Icelandic side Breiðablik.

Orban has scored 26 goals in 30 games for Gent since arriving in January 2023.



https://getfootballnewsbene.com/gent-confident-of-keeping-hold-of-tottenham-and-fulham-target/#google_vignette

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