Summer Silly Season Transfer Thread 2024

[General]

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1826403586601091192

Interesting that we've been negotiating for 3 weeks, maybe not as much of a plan B as some people are fearing. Very funny that we've potentially used McTominay as a smokescreen as well

I'd suggest you'd talk to your plan B and C for a long timeframe, because you're keeping them in a holding pattern to see if you can get option A or B, which in our case felt like Andre or McTominay.

[General]

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1826403586601091192

What? Why do footballers sign contracts at weird times? Guy should be asleep at midnight but instead signed a five year deal 😂

It said the deal was completed by his agent?

Okay but my question still applies. Who signs deals/contracts at midnight? It's not deadline day so not like waiting until the morning like normal people would result in the deal breaking down.

I'm not sure there are 'rules' when it comes to when you sign contracts... I'm a night owl.. don't know or have a club why deals are getting done late.. maybe multiple deals at the same time?

[General]

So, SB says, it's been a little bit back and forth the last few weeks.

Was he MS's choice all along?

Just shows how good at being under the radar our club is.

Hmm, not sure I go along with this..

The back and forth could be because we were waiting to see if McTominay deal would work and just holding off. Obviously he's through the door and will get all of our full support, but at this moment he strikes me at the very least as our 2nd choice option after McTominay, maybe even third after Andre too.

I think Marco must be happy, but I don't see Berge as a key player or a statement signing to replace a key player in Palhinha. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Berge can do a job, but it's definitely not a like for like replacement in terms of the quality level.

[Arthur]

It said the deal was completed by his agent?

Okay but my question still applies. Who signs deals/contracts at midnight? It's not deadline day so not like waiting until the morning like normal people would result in the deal breaking down.

Maybe the agent needs to be in another country today to negotiate on behalf of another player on his books and wanted to take a 7 a.m. flight.

[alfie]

Tbh if the reports are true that Cherki don't wanna join us then I would prefer it if we just moved on. That's just my opinion though and I trust in whatever MS and the board decide.

I agree, I have no issue with players not wanting to come to Fulham, some people accuse them of thinking they are too good for us, but that is not necessarily so, it might mean they just not interested in us, and yes if that is indicated then say thanks and move on.

[bill taylors apprentice]

Finding a clone of JP was always going to be impossible so lets please stop trying to match up Berg with Palhinha as a direct comparison in how they play.

It's not unreasonable to see the team evolve in a tactical way and therefore not see one player screening the back line.

[FFC1987]

Tbh if the reports are true that Cherki don't wanna join us then I would prefer it if we just moved on. That's just my opinion though and I trust in whatever MS and the board decide.

I agree, I have no issue with players not wanting to come to Fulham, some people accuse them of thinking they are too good for us, but that is not necessarily so, it might mean they just not interested in us, and yes if that is indicated then say thanks and move on.

I often see it more, they prefer to play a certain standard of football ie European/CL rather than hating the idea of playing for little ol Fulham. Some might be happy to sign for a project with an aspiration to play that, but others, see it as a basic requirement for their CV.

[Roberty]

So, SB says, it's been a little bit back and forth the last few weeks.

Was he MS's choice all along?

Just shows how good at being under the radar our club is.

Hmm, not sure I go along with this..

The back and forth could be because we were waiting to see if McTominay deal would work and just holding off. Obviously he's through the door and will get all of our full support, but at this moment he strikes me at the very least as our 2nd choice option after McTominay, maybe even third after Andre too.

I think Marco must be happy, but I don't see Berge as a key player or a statement signing to replace a key player in Palhinha. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Berge can do a job, but it's definitely not a like for like replacement in terms of the quality level.

I wrote that with you in mind, so no conclusions from me.

I was alluding to how long transfers take and how sneaky they all are.

How do you know he wasn't MS's first choice, you seem so certain but don't say why?

There's no need to think if MS is happy to have signed SB, it's well recorded that he has the only key to the door marked 'Player Entrance"

Maybe like for like is not what we're looking for because like the Unicorn, there isn't one. Palhinha was often suspended, we managed to win without him in the past and will have to in the future. MS gets big bucks to know how.

[Arthur]

I think Marco must be happy, but I don't see Berge as a key player or a statement signing to replace a key player in Palhinha. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Berge can do a job, but it's definitely not a like for like replacement in terms of the quality level.

I wouldn't say our our other defensive-midfield target, Andre, could be classed as a statement signing either. Since our offer was rejected in July, I've not seen any other clubs interested in him. This doesn't mean he wouldn't be good for us, of course, but signing  a player no one else wants is hardly a statement to the rest of the P.L.

[Deeping_white]

https://twitter.com/sportspeteo/status/1826559877252006323

[Deeping_white]

https://twitter.com/peterrutzler/status/1826563364241236035

[Free Elvis Hammond]

I don't have much to base this on, but I think Cherki has bad vibes

[General]

So, SB says, it's been a little bit back and forth the last few weeks.

Was he MS's choice all along?

Just shows how good at being under the radar our club is.

Hmm, not sure I go along with this..

The back and forth could be because we were waiting to see if McTominay deal would work and just holding off. Obviously he's through the door and will get all of our full support, but at this moment he strikes me at the very least as our 2nd choice option after McTominay, maybe even third after Andre too.

I think Marco must be happy, but I don't see Berge as a key player or a statement signing to replace a key player in Palhinha. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Berge can do a job, but it's definitely not a like for like replacement in terms of the quality level.

I wrote that with you in mind, so no conclusions from me.

I was alluding to how long transfers take and how sneaky they all are.

How do you know he wasn't MS's first choice, you seem so certain but don't say why?

There's no need to think if MS is happy to have signed SB, it's well recorded that he has the only key to the door marked 'Player Entrance"

Maybe like for like is not what we're looking for because like the Unicorn, there isn't one. Palhinha was often suspended, we managed to win without him in the past and will have to in the future. MS gets big bucks to know how.

I'm flattered.

I have no idea how long transfers take, but deadline day and interviews that happen with players who sign then tend to suggest it can all happen very quickly - from first expression of interest, to being a signed up player.. I'd hazard you'd look at 2-3 days max in those instances.

We know that a player can be on their way to Motspur Park to do medicals with half a day to go and getting the paperwork all done in time for the 11pm deadline, so when everyone's aligned, deals can get done very quickly.

3 weeks, for me, would seem very slow paced and lethargic.. obviously we've known of transfer sagas that go on for what feels like months, Solomon, Kluivert, Gignac, Andre etc.. but a lot of the time it's because there's something in the way - fee disparity, players with visa issues, players not wanting to come, clubs and agents fishing around for different options etc.. I imagine that's all quite common and part and parcel of a lot of transfer dealings, and you can understand why, because if you're moving to a league and a club it's not as straight forward as a club being in for you and you just going, not for most players.. Playing style, management, location, whether they're a relegation candidate, whether you're going to play often, or if there's competition, family matters (e.g. Ream)..

That being said though, given Berge's interview and his enthusiasm and knowledge of the club, why he'd fit and the transfer, it doesn't seem like the fillers that would have him keep his options open were there.

If that's the case, and I don't think wages would be an issue, it'd be about agreeing on a fee.

For me, as a club, I'd play around quite a bit with fees if I was trying to figure out which deal I'm in for has the most legs and whether I can get in my preferred target vs not..

I think Berge will fit in well to the club, squad and Fulham family dynamic... but do I think he's our first choice? I'm not so sure.

Hence why I'd like Andre in as a DM, because, similar to what others have mentioned about his interest and style being more aligned to a box to box midfielder, I think the two would dovetail nicely, and I think for the way we play we need that committed specialist DM.

[Tabby]

Doubt van der Saar was ecstatic about signing for us either, but he was a brilliant player.

Cherki seems like it could happen, but it will likely be closer to the window closing as he is waiting for a bigger club to come in.

[General]

I think Marco must be happy, but I don't see Berge as a key player or a statement signing to replace a key player in Palhinha. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Berge can do a job, but it's definitely not a like for like replacement in terms of the quality level.

I wouldn't say our our other defensive-midfield target, Andre, could be classed as a statement signing either. Since our offer was rejected in July, I've not seen any other clubs interested in him. This doesn't mean he wouldn't be good for us, of course, but signing  a player no one else wants is hardly a statement to the rest of the P.L.

Fair enough, and I do see what you're saying and do tend to measure my enthusiasm for Andre with an acknowledgement at least personally that he's not a superstar... but I think where he goes up a notch for me, in a similar way to Palhinha in fairness..

Palhinha had struggled often to make the breakthrough in Portugal and then finally had a manager who believed in him and then went on to be a mainstay in the Sporting team that won the league before coming to us.

If you compare that to Andre, who's still only 23.. Andre is a Brazil international, won the Brazil league, is loved by Fluminense' fanbase and labelled by them as the best midfielder in Brazil and was integral to them winning the South American Champions League.

For me, those things combined, particularly when contrasted against someone of his age, give him a potentially much higher ceiling than most, and whilst he may not have the physical attributes of Palhinha, namely his height, he still has a fantastic technique, ability to play a great pass from deep, link up defence with midfield and shield them and also play the ball out of tight spaces to a high level.

Under Marco, who has a knack for developing players alongside his coaching staff, and knowing that players tend to start to reach their potential aged 27, Andre, with 4 years more experience under a coach that can develop him, would be an exciting signing.

Similar to signing Cherki, a young and very talented player who's shown and to a degree proven he's got the raw talent, but just needs focus and developing to turn it into a diamond..

[SerbianLad]

https://twitter.com/Nilsola10/status/1826562062228533347
Asprilla who we've been linked with is seemingly off to Girona.

[Roberty]

So, SB says, it's been a little bit back and forth the last few weeks.

Was he MS's choice all along?

Just shows how good at being under the radar our club is.

Hmm, not sure I go along with this..

The back and forth could be because we were waiting to see if McTominay deal would work and just holding off. Obviously he's through the door and will get all of our full support, but at this moment he strikes me at the very least as our 2nd choice option after McTominay, maybe even third after Andre too.

I think Marco must be happy, but I don't see Berge as a key player or a statement signing to replace a key player in Palhinha. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Berge can do a job, but it's definitely not a like for like replacement in terms of the quality level.

I wrote that with you in mind, so no conclusions from me.

I was alluding to how long transfers take and how sneaky they all are.

How do you know he wasn't MS's first choice, you seem so certain but don't say why?

There's no need to think if MS is happy to have signed SB, it's well recorded that he has the only key to the door marked 'Player Entrance"

Maybe like for like is not what we're looking for because like the Unicorn, there isn't one. Palhinha was often suspended, we managed to win without him in the past and will have to in the future. MS gets big bucks to know how.

I'm flattered.

I have no idea how long transfers take, but deadline day and interviews that happen with players who sign then tend to suggest it can all happen very quickly - from first expression of interest, to being a signed up player.. I'd hazard you'd look at 2-3 days max in those instances.

We know that a player can be on their way to Motspur Park to do medicals with half a day to go and getting the paperwork all done in time for the 11pm deadline, so when everyone's aligned, deals can get done very quickly.

3 weeks, for me, would seem very slow paced and lethargic.. obviously we've known of transfer sagas that go on for what feels like months, Solomon, Kluivert, Gignac, Andre etc.. but a lot of the time it's because there's something in the way - fee disparity, players with visa issues, players not wanting to come, clubs and agents fishing around for different options etc.. I imagine that's all quite common and part and parcel of a lot of transfer dealings, and you can understand why, because if you're moving to a league and a club it's not as straight forward as a club being in for you and you just going, not for most players.. Playing style, management, location, whether they're a relegation candidate, whether you're going to play often, or if there's competition, family matters (e.g. Ream)..

That being said though, given Berge's interview and his enthusiasm and knowledge of the club, why he'd fit and the transfer, it doesn't seem like the fillers that would have him keep his options open were there.

If that's the case, and I don't think wages would be an issue, it'd be about agreeing on a fee.

For me, as a club, I'd play around quite a bit with fees if I was trying to figure out which deal I'm in for has the most legs and whether I can get in my preferred target vs not..

I think Berge will fit in well to the club, squad and Fulham family dynamic... but do I think he's our first choice? I'm not so sure.

Hence why I'd like Andre in as a DM, because, similar to what others have mentioned about his interest and style being more aligned to a box to box midfielder, I think the two would dovetail nicely, and I think for the way we play we need that committed specialist DM.

There's no need to be
Like the club, I'm sneaky too
I have a bet that this thread will  get to 300 pages before the end of the week
Your long and informative replies are supporting my endeavour

[sarnian]

I think Marco must be happy, but I don't see Berge as a key player or a statement signing to replace a key player in Palhinha. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Berge can do a job, but it's definitely not a like for like replacement in terms of the quality level.

I wouldn't say our our other defensive-midfield target, Andre, could be classed as a statement signing either. Since our offer was rejected in July, I've not seen any other clubs interested in him. This doesn't mean he wouldn't be good for us, of course, but signing  a player no one else wants is hardly a statement to the rest of the P.L.

Fair enough, and I do see what you're saying and do tend to measure my enthusiasm for Andre with an acknowledgement at least personally that he's not a superstar... but I think where he goes up a notch for me, in a similar way to Palhinha in fairness..

Palhinha had struggled often to make the breakthrough in Portugal and then finally had a manager who believed in him and then went on to be a mainstay in the Sporting team that won the league before coming to us.

If you compare that to Andre, who's still only 23.. Andre is a Brazil international, won the Brazil league, is loved by Fluminense' fanbase and labelled by them as the best midfielder in Brazil and was integral to them winning the South American Champions League.

For me, those things combined, particularly when contrasted against someone of his age, give him a potentially much higher ceiling than most, and whilst he may not have the physical attributes of Palhinha, namely his height, he still has a fantastic technique, ability to play a great pass from deep, link up defence with midfield and shield them and also play the ball out of tight spaces to a high level.

Under Marco, who has a knack for developing players alongside his coaching staff, and knowing that players tend to start to reach their potential aged 27, Andre, with 4 years more experience under a coach that can develop him, would be an exciting signing.

Similar to signing Cherki, a young and very talented player who's shown and to a degree proven he's got the raw talent, but just needs focus and developing to turn it into a diamond..

What's your fixation with Andre. Nobody knows if he could adapt to English football and more to the point why aren't clubs like Utd who are desperate for a defensive midfielder queuing up for him. Think lack of interest says it all.

[Fulham Tup North]

Doubt van der Saar was ecstatic about signing for us either, but he was a brilliant player.

Cherki seems like it could happen, but it will likely be closer to the window closing as he is waiting for a bigger club to come in.

Waiting . .. or hoping??
TBF, the French League when compared to the EPL is poor... with the odd exception.
They are definitely level 5 out of the top 5 leagues in Europe.
Why would a decent player not want to come to the EPL to prove themselves against the best?
Unless they don't have ambition... and what's not to love about being in London?  Especially West London...
The mind boggles...
COYW   
 

[General]

So, SB says, it's been a little bit back and forth the last few weeks.

Was he MS's choice all along?

Just shows how good at being under the radar our club is.

Hmm, not sure I go along with this..

The back and forth could be because we were waiting to see if McTominay deal would work and just holding off. Obviously he's through the door and will get all of our full support, but at this moment he strikes me at the very least as our 2nd choice option after McTominay, maybe even third after Andre too.

I think Marco must be happy, but I don't see Berge as a key player or a statement signing to replace a key player in Palhinha. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Berge can do a job, but it's definitely not a like for like replacement in terms of the quality level.

I wrote that with you in mind, so no conclusions from me.

I was alluding to how long transfers take and how sneaky they all are.

How do you know he wasn't MS's first choice, you seem so certain but don't say why?

There's no need to think if MS is happy to have signed SB, it's well recorded that he has the only key to the door marked 'Player Entrance"

Maybe like for like is not what we're looking for because like the Unicorn, there isn't one. Palhinha was often suspended, we managed to win without him in the past and will have to in the future. MS gets big bucks to know how.

I'm flattered.

I have no idea how long transfers take, but deadline day and interviews that happen with players who sign then tend to suggest it can all happen very quickly - from first expression of interest, to being a signed up player.. I'd hazard you'd look at 2-3 days max in those instances.

We know that a player can be on their way to Motspur Park to do medicals with half a day to go and getting the paperwork all done in time for the 11pm deadline, so when everyone's aligned, deals can get done very quickly.

3 weeks, for me, would seem very slow paced and lethargic.. obviously we've known of transfer sagas that go on for what feels like months, Solomon, Kluivert, Gignac, Andre etc.. but a lot of the time it's because there's something in the way - fee disparity, players with visa issues, players not wanting to come, clubs and agents fishing around for different options etc.. I imagine that's all quite common and part and parcel of a lot of transfer dealings, and you can understand why, because if you're moving to a league and a club it's not as straight forward as a club being in for you and you just going, not for most players.. Playing style, management, location, whether they're a relegation candidate, whether you're going to play often, or if there's competition, family matters (e.g. Ream)..

That being said though, given Berge's interview and his enthusiasm and knowledge of the club, why he'd fit and the transfer, it doesn't seem like the fillers that would have him keep his options open were there.

If that's the case, and I don't think wages would be an issue, it'd be about agreeing on a fee.

For me, as a club, I'd play around quite a bit with fees if I was trying to figure out which deal I'm in for has the most legs and whether I can get in my preferred target vs not..

I think Berge will fit in well to the club, squad and Fulham family dynamic... but do I think he's our first choice? I'm not so sure.

Hence why I'd like Andre in as a DM, because, similar to what others have mentioned about his interest and style being more aligned to a box to box midfielder, I think the two would dovetail nicely, and I think for the way we play we need that committed specialist DM.

There's no need to be
Like the club, I'm sneaky too
I have a bet that this thread will  get to 300 pages before the end of the week
You're  long and informative replies are supporting my endeavour

I'm not sure it's the length that tip the pages, but the number of replies.

Interesting you have a bet, assume it's with someone else, otherwise that'd be uneventful. I think, given we're also expected to sign Andersen, we could very well get close.

Not going to bet on it though. I will be watching out for how often you post, just to see whether you're winning your own bet for yourself or not.