Thursday Fulham Stuff - 13/06/24

[WhiteJC]

Fulham ace to choose Spurs over Chelsea for more playtime
London clubs including Tottenham Hotspur are in the race for Brazilian striker Rodrigo Muniz

Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz is more interested in joining Tottenham Hotspur than rival club Chelsea. Ange Postecoglou may consider the Brazilian striker's deal while another Brazilian, Richarlison, leaves the club in the summer, per Tottenham Hotspur News.

The 23-year-old striker joined the English club in 2021, on a five-year contract. Muniz had an impressive last campaign with the Cottagers, where he netted ten goals and an assist in 33 games across all competitions. The netting capability of the youngster have been noticed by several clubs within and outside the league.

When the transfer market is set to open in the coming days, the Brazilian striker has already been approached by the London clubs. Both Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are set to bid for the Cottagers striker. Spurs have approached multiple strikers across different clubs after the season's end. Ange Postecoglou is needed as an out-and-out striker for the club, and a manager who is keenly interested in youngsters has increased the chance of Muniz to N17.

The Blues from London also approached the striker, Chelsea, who is heading for their upcoming campaign under new manager Enzo Maresca has many plans to work in the summer transfer. With his arrival, we can see some major changes at Stamford Bridge.

As the two London clubs have approached the player, Muniz may choose Spurs as his favourite over the Blues. The lack of a proper striker in the squad may give the Brazilian more playing time than Chelsea. Also, the player has no idea about the intentions of Chelsea's gaffer Maresca. By joining the Spurs, the Brazilian can also get featured in the Europa League, where he can compete with different European clubs.



https://tothelaneandback.com/2024/06/12/fulham-ace-to-choose-spurs-over-chelsea-for-more-playtime/

[WhiteJC]

Silva 'held talks with Manchester United'
Fulham head coach Marco Silva held 'face-to-face talks' with Manchester United about replacing Eric ten Haag at Old Trafford, according to the Athletic.

The Portuguese boss, who guided the Whites to successive mid-table finishes after winning the Championship in his first campaign at Craven Cottage, met with United chiefs two days before the FA Cup final last month. He steered the Londoners to a late victory at Old Trafford in the Premier League back in February. Silva, who was also on Chelsea's longlist to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge, turned down two approaches from Saudi Pro League sides last summer and signed a contract extension with Fulham last October.

United announced last night that ten Haag would remain in charge after an internal review into first-team performance following frenzied speculation as to the former Ajax coach's future.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/06/silva-held-talks-with-manchester-united/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham reject second Bayern bid for Palhinha
Fulham have turned down a second bid from Bayern Munich for midfielder Joao Palhinha.

Various reports claim that the German giants offered £40m – including add-ons – for the 28 year-old defensive midfielder, which remains significantly short of Fulham's £60m valuation. The former Sporting Lisbon schemer, who has topped the Premier League tackling table in the two seasons he has spent at Craven Cottage, was close to joining Bayern last September only for the deal to collapse on transfer deadline day.

New Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany has apparently made Palhinha his top transfer target this summer but Fulham will not let one of Marco Silva's key players leave for below their asking price. The Londoners believe they are in a strong position as Palhinha, who enjoys a strong relationship with the man who brought him through the Sporting youth set-up, signed a new four-year contract last autumn.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/06/fulham-reject-second-bayern-bid-for-palhinha/

[WhiteJC]

Report: Fulham Eyeing Move for Arsenal's Forgotten Defender

Fulham Eyes Arsenal's Kieran Tierney Amidst Premier League Rival Interest
Fulham Football Club is reportedly setting its sights on Arsenal's Kieran Tierney as a strategic addition to their squad, according to Football Transfers. With anticipated changes in their lineup, the London club sees Tierney as a potential key player for the coming seasons.

Shifting Dynamics at Fulham
As Fulham prepares for the possible departure of Antonee Robinson, they are actively seeking replacements, and Tierney emerges as a top candidate. "Fulham are ready to move for Arsenal's Kieran Tierney as they brace themselves for losing USMNT star Antonee Robinson this summer," sources claim. The departure of Robinson, who played a pivotal role last season with his consistent performances and six assists, could leave a significant gap in the team's defensive structure.

Tierney's Journey and Potential Impact
Kieran Tierney, currently on duty with Scotland at Euro 2024, has had a notable career trajectory. Initially scouted by Fulham when he was at Celtic, his journey took him to Arsenal, where he has since made 124 appearances. Despite falling out of favour and spending a season on loan at Real Sociedad, Tierney's versatility and experience in multiple defensive roles make him an attractive prospect for Fulham's future plans.

Financial Aspects and Transfer Feasibility
Arsenal's valuation of Tierney stands at around £15 million, a figure within reach for Fulham, especially considering the defender's proven capabilities and versatility. "He remains under contract with Arsenal until 2026 and the Gunners are said to be looking for around €17.8 million (£15m) for the versatile defender," highlights the financial deliberations behind such a transfer.

Long-Term Implications for Fulham
Securing Tierney could be seen as a strategic move by Fulham, not only as a direct replacement for Robinson but also as an investment in bolstering their defensive lineup with a seasoned Premier League player. His addition would bring depth and experience to the squad, potentially enhancing their competitiveness in the league.

In conclusion, Fulham's interest in Kieran Tierney reflects a broader strategy to strengthen their team in anticipation of key departures. As the summer transfer window progresses, it will be interesting to see how this potential move unfolds and how it might influence Fulham's performance in the upcoming Premier League season.



https://eplindex.com/112558/report-fulham-eyeing-move-for-arsenals-forgotten-defender.html

[WhiteJC]

Fulham's Defensive Shake-Up: Luton Defender in the Spotlight

Fulham Eye Teden Mengi Amidst Defensive Reinforcement Plans
Interest in Luton Town's Mengi

Fulham are casting a keen eye on Luton Town's standout defender, Teden Mengi, with plans to bolster their defensive line significantly this summer. Manager Marco Silva has emphasised the critical need for reinforcements in the centre-back position following recent developments.

Strengthening Central Defence
The urgency to enhance Fulham's central defence became evident last week with the confirmed departure of Tosin Adarabioyo. The 26-year-old defender has exited on a free transfer to rivals Chelsea, leaving a considerable gap in Fulham's backline. Additionally, Tim Ream is on the brink of a move to MLS side Charlotte FC. This potential transfer would further deplete Fulham's options, leaving Issa Diop and Calvin Bassey as the only recognised centre-backs within the squad.

Fulham's Defensive Options and Mengi's Premier League Ambitions
In light of these exits, Fulham are actively exploring their defensive options and have zeroed in on Mengi, who is eager to showcase his talents in the Premier League. The 22-year-old, a product of Manchester United's esteemed academy, impressed with Luton Town last season. His performance not only garnered plaudits but also earned him a debut for England Under-21s in a dominant 7-0 victory over Luxembourg during Euro 2025 qualifying.

Fulham had previously expressed interest in Mengi during the January transfer window. However, Luton's manager, Rob Edwards, was adamant about retaining his star defender mid-season. With the summer window now open, Fulham are reconsidering their position and weighing up a bid to bring Mengi to Craven Cottage.

Competition for Mengi's Signature
Fulham are not alone in their pursuit of Mengi. The defender has also caught the eye of Crystal Palace, and Bayer Leverkusen. This heightened interest underscores Mengi's growing reputation and the potential impact he could have in the Premier League.

For Luton Town, the prospect of retaining Mengi is appealing as they aim for a swift return to the Premier League. However, the financial implications of a substantial transfer fee might influence their decision. Balancing the immediate benefits of retaining a key player against the long-term financial gain of a potential sale will be crucial for the Hatters this summer.



https://eplindex.com/112574/fulhams-defensive-shake-up-luton-defender-in-the-spotlight.html

[WhiteJC]

Fulham reject £38m offer for one of Marco Silva's most important players
Fulham have rejected a second offer from Bayern Munich for midfielder Joao Palhinha, according to reports.

Palhinha has become a key player under Marco Silva since arriving from Sporting CP in the summer of 2022.

Just last season, the battling midfielder — who is part of the Portugal side heading to Euro 2024 this month and has 27 caps to his name so far — ranked first among Fulham players in the Premier League for tackles (152), possessions won in the middle third (95) and headed goals (2).

Palhinha's aggressive nature can sometimes leave him walking a tightrope, but he was remarkably able to avoid a red card throughout the entire campaign despite picking up a league-high 13 yellow cards.

Bayern Munich pushed to sign Palhinha last summer but were ultimately unsuccessful. However, according to a report from talkSPORT, the Bavarians have returned to the table. Having already had a £30m offer turned down earlier this week, it's understood Bayern have now been knocked back at the £38m mark as well.

Fulham to remain realistic with Palhinha
Palhinha's contract at Craven Cottage runs until the summer of 2028, while Fulham hold the option to extend it by another year, so there's no rush for the London club to sell on the cheap.

That said, Fulham vice-chairman Tony Khan told talkSPORT in February that they would consider offers for Palhinha that they deemed sensible.

"He's a great player for Fulham, we love having him and I want Joao to stay with us as long as possible," said Khan, adding: "But it's part of the business any time you sign a player potentially you know you're hopefully going to grow their value and that might mean people are going to come in."

With Bayern rebuilding under new manager Vincent Kompany following a disappointing third-place finish and trophyless season in 2023/24, it's unlikely this transfer saga has reached its conclusion yet.



https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/06/13/fulham-38m-offer-bayern-munich-joao-palhinha/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham Football Club becomes partners with Ministry of Culture of Mongolia and Go Mongolia

AKIPRESS.COM - Fulham Football Club have  announcedjavascript:mctmp(0);  new partnership with Go Mongolia.

The collaboration endeavours to promote Mongolia through consistent brand visibility and marketing initiatives to educate and share many stories about the long heritage of the country.

"Go Mongolia epitomises the beauty of our country and the incredible spirit of our people. We are excited to partner with Fulham FC to share this beauty with the world," Minister of Culture Nomin Chinbat said.

"We are delighted to welcome Go Mongolia as an Official Partner for the forthcoming 2024/25 season," Chief Executive Officer of Fulham FC Alistair Mackintosh noted.

The official announcement took place at the Mongolian Football Federation stadium in Ulaanbaatar on June 9. Minister of Culture Nomin Chinbat was presented a signed Fulham FC shirt by former Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Go Mongolia brand will be featured on the training kit of all club teams during the forthcoming 2024/25 season.



https://akipress.com/news:778891:Fulham_Football_Club_becomes_partners_with_Ministry_of_Culture_of_Mongolia_and_Go_Mongolia/

[filham]

Looking as if we could see a new team at the Cottage next season.
There has now been media speculation about the following players leaving :-

                                        Leno
                      Tete    Tosin          ---    Robinson
           
                                 -------         Palhina
               
                                     Periera
                        Iwobi     Muniz         Willian

If all of the rumours materialise we could start the preseason with only Bassy and Lukic from last season's first choice line up. No doubt the rumour mill will hit on those two before the window closes.