Saturday Fulham Stuff - 21/06/25...

[WhiteJC]

Fulham plot shock move to bring Joao Palhinha back to Craven Cottage - after star's struggles since £48m move to Bayern Munich

    Joao Palhinha joined Bayern Munich from Fulham in a £48m move last year
    The defensive midfielder has had limited game time under Vincent Kompany

Fulham are exploring a potential return for midfielder Joao Palhinha, who has failed to make much of an impact in his first season at Bayern Munich.

Fulham sold the 29-year-old to the German giants for £48million a year ago but his game time has been limited under Vincent Kompany.

He wants to fight for his place but the Bundesliga champions are willing consider offers.

A number of Premier League sides are interested in an initial loan with Fulham among those, though his salary could prove prohibitive.

Palhinha started just seven matches in Germany's top flight in his debut campaign, not helped by an injury which kept him on the sidelines for more than two months.

He failed to contribute a goal or an assist in his 17 appearances in all competitions and now a quick return to the Premier League could be on the horizon.

The Portuguese joined the Cottagers in the summer of 2022 and went on to score eight goals in 79 appearances.

A deadline day move to Bayern collapsed in 2023 with the Bavarians going on to get their man a year later.

Palhinha, 29, was a member of the Portugal team that triumphed in the Nations League earlier this month but played just one minute across the semi-final and final.

Fulham are yet to do much work in the market this summer but a number of departures have been announced.

Willian and Carlos Vinicius are among a list of 13 players who will leave the club following the expiration of their contracts at the end of the month



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14830929/Fulham-plotting-shock-bring-Joao-Palhinha-Craven-Cottage-Bayern-Munich-struggles.html

[WhiteJC]

Wolves transfer news: Fulham star 'admired' by Vitor Pereira ahead of potential summer bid
Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Vitor Pereira has reportedly identified a Fulham star as a summer transfer target.

The West Midlands outfit are expected to announce the signing of Celta Vigo playmaker Fer Lopez on Friday as they look to replace high-profile names who have left Molineux.

With Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Cunha having departed the club, adding more flair to the squad is imperative ahead of the new campaign.

Furthermore, with Tommy Doyle also potentially on his way out, a new central midfielder may arrive at Wolves in due course.

According to The Telegraph, Pereira has taken an interest in namesake Andreas Pereira ahead of a potential bid.

What is Pereira situation?
The 29-year-old has been an influential figure at Craven Cottage since leaving Manchester United ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

Ten goals and 22 assists have come from 119 appearances in all competitions, Pereira largely used in one of three central midfield roles.

However, he has reached a point where he only has 12 months remaining on his target and a new challenge appears to be a realistic possibility.

There has previously been talk of Pereira returning to Brazil, where he has previously represented Flamengo.

As it stands, though, it remains to be seen whether any club from Brasileiro will meet Fulham's unspecified asking price.

The perfect signing for Wolves?
A Portuguese-speaking player with 148 games in the Premier League ticks a lot of boxes for Wolves, and seemingly for head coach Pereira who is said to be an admirer.

Furthermore, Pereira's ability to play in a central-midfield duo or as one of two number 10s in the system that Wolves play also comes with its advantages.

That said, much could depend on how much interest comes from Brazil. Pereira won a domestic cup and Copa Libertadores with Flamengo, and he may want to prioritise more success in South America.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/wolves/transfer-talk/news/wolves-boss-pereira-admires-fulham-star-ahead-of-potential-summer-bid_575897.html

[WhiteJC]

Transfer saga building up around Fulham man again – Same two clubs as last time
Fulham fans, prepare yourselves, because the Andreas Pereira wants to leave storyline is about to be revived.

O Dia provide the latest today and say Flamengo remain an option for the midfielder, but Marseille have made the first moves for him.

They explain the 29-year-old wants to leave Fulham this summer and Flamengo are one of the sides interested.

They're currently competing at the Club World Cup in the United States but have an eye on the market and the Fulham man is a potential target. He played for the Brazilian club in 2022 and has often made it clear that he'd love to return.

That could now happen as they need a replacement for Gerson and, Pereira's current contract at Fulham expires in 2026. Therefore, he could be sold on the cheap to avoid losing him on a free.

Flamengo first have to sell Gerson to fund a deal but he's on his way to Zenit St Petersburg and they could open negotiations with Fulham once it's done.

There is competition, though. Marseille are also keen and have 'taken the lead' and started talks with Fulham about Pereira. The midfielder, for his part, has prioritised a return to Flamengo but that move depends on Gerson, and he can't wait forever.

Now we'd point out that this news is all well known. Pereira has been flirting with a move away for Fulham for nearly a year. He's also openly flirted with Flamengo and Marseille, at one point even claiming he'd have loved to join Roberto de Zerbi's side.

Now he's in the final year of his deal at Fulham it seems he wants the news out there again, and O Dia have provided that with their coverage again.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/transfer-saga-building-up-around-fulham-man-again-same-two-clubs-as-last-time/

[WhiteJC]

Liverpool and Manchester City set for transfer battle over Fulham midfielder
Manchester City's pursuit of the nation's finest young talents has now headed to Craven Cottage, with competition from Premier League champions Liverpool.

A number of reports have emerged over the last few days linking the City Football Academy with swoops for some of their direct rivals' brightest young names, including Liverpool Under-15 midfielder, Kaylum Moss.

The Merseyside talent has been accompanied in wide spread transfer reports by fellow midfield prospect Dexter Oliver at Tottenham, of whom Manchester City are believed to be in 'advanced talks' to secure alongside Aston Villa's Freddie Lawrie.

Further afield and there is simultaneous interest from Manchester City decision makers in Paris Saint-Germain's Mahamadou Sangare, with the 18-year-old striker expected to pen his first professional contract at the Etihad Stadium.

However, the latest line of reporting concerning young talents and the eyes of City Football Academy staff centres around a name from West London, also attracting interest from the very summit of the Premier League.

That is according to the information of TheSecretScout, who reports that both Liverpool and Manchester City have been monitoring the situation of Fulham's highly-rated 16-year-old midfielder, Seth Ridgeon with the player's contract ending this summer.

The youngster, who has already featured in competitive action for Fulham's Under-21s side, is yet to have made a decision on his future despite interest from two of the nation's most-prominent clubs.

Should Manchester City come out on top for the player, the most likely scenario is that Ridgeon would be embedded into their Under-18 set-up, although his integration into senior squads would suggest an ability to play far above his own age group.

City staff have certainly not been opposed to such a possibility for talents in the past, insisting on players viewed with higher ceilings of potential operating beyond their age to further progress themselves towards the senior game.

Elsewhere, Manchester City could yet return to the transfer market for the senior first-team squad as they continue to eye a new right-sided full-back, with Newcastle United's Tino Livramento seen as the priority target.



https://cityxtra.co.uk/30519/liverpool-and-manchester-city-set-for-transfer-battle-over-fulham-midfielder/

[WhiteJC]

Sky Sports: Fulham Eyeing Shock Move to Re-Sign £47m Midfielder
Fulham Eye Surprise Return for Joao Palhinha: A Bold Transfer Twist

In a potentially seismic shift for Fulham's summer transfer plans, the West London club are exploring a sensational return for former midfield general Joao Palhinha. As reported by Sky Sports via the Daily Mail, discussions are ongoing as the Cottagers weigh up bringing the 29-year-old back to Craven Cottage after a difficult season in Germany.

Palhinha's Bundesliga Struggles
After sealing a £47.4 million move to Bayern Munich last summer, Palhinha was widely expected to slot into a dominant midfield role in Bavaria. Instead, his debut campaign has been riddled with challenges. He made only six starts in the Bundesliga, with injury problems between November and January stalling any momentum he might have built.

His lack of game time has not gone unnoticed. For a player of Palhinha's calibre — renowned for his tenacity, tactical intelligence and physical presence — such limited involvement will come as a surprise to those who watched him thrive in the Premier League.

As Sky Sports reports: "The 29-year-old has struggled to make an impact in his first season at Bayern Munich." That single line underlines the extent of the frustration both player and club may be feeling after what was supposed to be a career-defining move.

Fulham's Motivation and Strategic Intent
Palhinha's possible return signals more than just a sentimental reunion. Fulham boss Marco Silva has never hidden his admiration for the Portugal international. During Palhinha's initial spell, he played 79 matches and scored eight goals, becoming a pillar of Silva's high-intensity, well-organised system.

Fulham's interest seems calculated. With central midfield options fluctuating due to form and fitness, securing someone as battle-tested as Palhinha could provide immediate benefits.

His previous success in English football gives Fulham a level of assurance rare in high-profile transfer negotiations. He understands the pace, the physicality, and most importantly, the tactical nuances of the Premier League.

What This Means for Bayern Munich
For Bayern, moving on from Palhinha may come down to simple numbers and squad depth. With a new managerial era dawning in Munich, and midfield competition intensifying, they may be open to letting the Portuguese midfielder leave, especially if they can recoup a portion of the original fee.

His injuries and inconsistency made it difficult for him to displace more established figures in Bayern's lineup. The timing may be right for both parties to move on.

Palhinha's Premier League Appeal
Palhinha's brief but memorable time at Fulham earned him fans across the division. His mix of assertive tackles, positional awareness and surprising attacking threat made him an invaluable asset.

Sky Sports reminds us that he "played 79 times for Fulham and scored eight goals," numbers that underline both durability and contribution.

It's clear that his return would not just bolster Fulham's midfield, it would re-energise the entire fanbase heading into the new season.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis
As a Fulham supporter, it's impossible not to be thrilled at the possibility of Palhinha coming home. His departure last summer left a gaping hole in our midfield — no one has quite replicated his commanding presence or his flair for a well-timed interception.

Seeing him start just six Bundesliga games for Bayern felt surreal. He was our rock, our enforcer, and one of the few players who consistently performed regardless of opposition. You could feel the drop in intensity after he left, especially in games where we struggled to maintain midfield control.

His return would send a powerful message: Fulham mean business this season. With Marco Silva still at the helm, we have stability, ambition and now, hopefully, the key piece to re-establishing dominance in the middle of the park.

Of course, there are risks. Injuries and form can change quickly, and Bayern won't be pushovers in negotiations. But if we can get this done, and even at a reduced fee, it could be one of the signings of the summer — not just for Fulham, but across the league.

Palhinha in black and white again? Yes please.



https://www.eplindex.com/132552/sky-sports-fulham-eyeing-shock-move-to-re-sign-47m-midfielder.html

[Bill2]

Liverpool and Manchester City set for transfer battle over Fulham midfielder
Manchester City's pursuit of the nation's finest young talents has now headed to Craven Cottage, with competition from Premier League champions Liverpool.

A number of reports have emerged over the last few days linking the City Football Academy with swoops for some of their direct rivals' brightest young names, including Liverpool Under-15 midfielder, Kaylum Moss.

The Merseyside talent has been accompanied in wide spread transfer reports by fellow midfield prospect Dexter Oliver at Tottenham, of whom Manchester City are believed to be in 'advanced talks' to secure alongside Aston Villa's Freddie Lawrie.

Further afield and there is simultaneous interest from Manchester City decision makers in Paris Saint-Germain's Mahamadou Sangare, with the 18-year-old striker expected to pen his first professional contract at the Etihad Stadium.

However, the latest line of reporting concerning young talents and the eyes of City Football Academy staff centres around a name from West London, also attracting interest from the very summit of the Premier League.

That is according to the information of TheSecretScout, who reports that both Liverpool and Manchester City have been monitoring the situation of Fulham's highly-rated 16-year-old midfielder, Seth Ridgeon with the player's contract ending this summer.

The youngster, who has already featured in competitive action for Fulham's Under-21s side, is yet to have made a decision on his future despite interest from two of the nation's most-prominent clubs.

Should Manchester City come out on top for the player, the most likely scenario is that Ridgeon would be embedded into their Under-18 set-up, although his integration into senior squads would suggest an ability to play far above his own age group.

City staff have certainly not been opposed to such a possibility for talents in the past, insisting on players viewed with higher ceilings of potential operating beyond their age to further progress themselves towards the senior game.

Elsewhere, Manchester City could yet return to the transfer market for the senior first-team squad as they continue to eye a new right-sided full-back, with Newcastle United's Tino Livramento seen as the priority target.



https://cityxtra.co.uk/30519/liverpool-and-manchester-city-set-for-transfer-battle-over-fulham-midfielder/

Well I hope the lad sees sense and doesn't follow the others who have gone to these "bigger" clubs and then disappeared. If he goes why bother having an academy for these other clubs circle round like vultures to swoop up the talent you invested in and offer you a pittance in return.

[vancouver]

We are brutal at giving youth a chance, and clearly aren't proactive on the contract front. Osmand, king, ridgeon. LDF starts for a top 30 national team and has played one match for Fulham. He also is out of contract.