Thursday Fulham Stuff - 03/07/25...

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Khan writes off £70m more of Fulham debt
Documents filed at Companies House over the past few days detail that Fulham's parent company, Cougar HoldCo, has written off nearly £70m of loans by converting them into shares.

This takes Shahid Khan's estimated total investment in Fulham Football Club since he bought the club from Mohamed Al-Fayed in 2013 to an eye-watering £885.6m.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2025/07/khan-writes-off-70m-more-of-fulham-debt/

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Fulham now open talks to sign "spectacular" £17m U21 Euros star
Fulham have now opened talks to sign a "spectacular" U21 European Championships star, having expressed a concrete interest in securing his signature, according to a report from Sky Sports.

Cottagers set sights on U21 Euros star
Several players put themselves in the shop window courtesy of their performances at the recent U21 Euros, with former Fulham man Harvey Elliott playing a vital role in England's triumph, picking up five goals throughout the tournament.

The Cottagers have expressed an interest in signing Elliott in the past, and the midfielder's recent performances are only likely to have driven up his value, with Liverpool now thought to be holding out for a fee of £40m.

However, the Liverpool ace was not the only midfielder who excelled at the tournament, with a report revealing Marco Silva's side have now taken steps towards securing the signature of a different midfielder...

According to Sky Sports (via Sport Witness), Fulham have now expressed a concrete interest in signing Borussia Monchengladbach's Rocco Reitz, submitting an enquiry over a potential summer deal.

Reitz has a £17m release clause which becomes active next summer, and he is attracting widespread interest from within the Premier League, with West Ham United thought to be leading the race for his signature.

Monchengladbach are worried by the interest in one of their key players, with the German club determined to retain his services, but the fact the midfielder is set to be available for £17m next year could lead them to auctioning him off this summer.

"Spectacular" Reitz impressing for Germany U21s
Germany ultimately came up short in the U21 Euros final, with England prevailing 3-2 after Jonathan Rowe's extra-time winner, but Reitz impressed throughout the tournament, being singled out for high praise from football talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Fellow scout Antonio Mango has lauded the maestro as "spectacular" in the past, and he has proven himself to be exceptional at winning back possession, ranking in the top 1% for interceptions per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

 After losing Joao Palhinha last summer, Fulham brought in Sander Berge, but there are signs the Mönchengladbach midfielder could be more of a like-for-like replacement for the Portugal international, considering his defensive qualities.

As such, Reitz could be a shrewd acquisition for Silva this summer, and the manager will be hoping that Fulham finishing higher than West Ham last season will give them the edge over their Premier League rivals in negotiations.



https://www.footballfancast.com/fulham-now-open-talks-to-sign-rocco-reitz/

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Brighton vs Fulham tickets 2025: Here are updated details for the Premier League opener at the Amex Stadium
Brighton & Hove Albion kick off the 2025-26 Premier League season at home against Fulham on August 16, 2025, at the Amex Stadium

Brighton are set to return to pre-season training in the coming days as they prepare for the Premier League kick-off against Fulham.

The Seagulls finished eighth last term in what proved to be an injury hit and inconsistent campaign in Fabian Hurzeler's first season in charge.

Chairman and owner Tony Bloom recently stated that he expects Brighton to be better this season as Hurzeler and many new players learn from the experiences of last season.

The Seagulls have also secured four key signings so far, as Charalampos Kostoulas, an 18-year-old Greek striker from Olympiakos, joined for £31.4m – Brighton's second-most expensive signing.

Tommy Watson, a 19-year-old winger from Sunderland, was signed for £10m after scoring a playoff winner.

Diego Coppola, a 21-year-old Italian centre-back from Hellas Verona, arrived for £9m and Olivier Boscagli, a 27-year-old French defender, joined on a free transfer from PSV Eindhoven, adding experience to the backline.

Fulham however will likely be tricky opponents under Marco Silva as Albion look to get off to a fast start.

How to get Brighton vs Fulham tickets
Tickets for the opening game of the new Premier League season against Fulham go on sale from Thursday 3 July.

Albion face the Cottagers at the Amex on Saturday 16 August, kick-off 3pm.

On sale dates: All MyAlbion+ members*: Thu 03 Jul, Guest tickets (one guest per eligible fan number): Thu 10 Jul, Purchase history: Tue 15 Jul.

The Albion club website also stated: "14 days from the date of purchasing membership required before you may purchase tickets for this game."



https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/sport/football/brighton-and-hove-albion/brighton-vs-fulham-tickets-2025-here-are-updated-details-for-the-premier-league-opener-at-the-amex-stadium-5204596

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Exclusive: James McAtee makes transfer decision after Newcastle and Fulham updates
James McAtee is planning to quit Manchester City on a permanent basis, sources have told Football Insider.

The recent arrivals of Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki have pushed the 22-year-old down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium.

Sources say that both Newcastle and Nottingham Forest are keen on the Englishman and are weighing up moves this summer.

McAtee wants to leave City for the good of his development with first-team football a priority.

McAtee set for City exit
McAtee started just three Premier League games for Pep Guardiola's side last season, featuring for a total of just 342 minutes throughout the course of the campaign.

The youngster does have some experience of playing regular top-flight football, as he made 30 appearances for Sheffield United during a loan spell in 2023/24.

Last week, McAtee captained the England Under-21 side to European Championship glory, scoring in the semi-final win over Spain and grabbing an assist against Germany in the final.

His performances out in Slovakia caught the eye, meaning that the 22-year-old is drawing a lot of attention from interested clubs.

Both Newcastle and Nottingham are coming off the back of encouraging seasons in the Premier League, and with the offer of European football, either could convince McAtee to make a permanent switch.

Newcastle and Fulham race to sign Calvert-Lewin
Meanwhile, Football Insider exclusively revealed that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will have options to stay in the Premier League next season after his Everton exit.

Newcastle and Fulham are among the teams ready to step up talks and advance their interest over the next few weeks – with both clubs in the market for a new striker this summer.

Calvert-Lewin has confirmed he would be leaving Everton at the expiration of his contract, after nine years at Goodison Park.

It is believed the 28-year-old will have offers from clubs abroad, as well as those in the Premier League.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-james-mcatee-makes-transfer-decision-after-newcastle-and-fulham-updates/

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Report: Fulham fend off Everton to keep key player in major contract twist
Kenny Tete signs new Fulham contract until 2028

Fulham have secured the long-term future of their right-back, who has signed a new deal running until the summer of 2028, putting an end to mounting speculation linking him with a move to Everton.

With his previous contract set to expire, there had been a growing expectation that the 29-year-old would be heading to Merseyside. Everton had shown strong interest and were confident of securing his signature. However, Fulham have now tied down the experienced defender on a three-year contract extension, reinforcing their back line heading into the new season.

Tete, who joined the club in 2020, said:

"I'm really happy to have signed, for myself and for my family, and I hope I can give more for the fans in these three years. After my first year I knew this was a family club, a really special club where I can develop. I want to be part of this group and hopefully we can push for more."

This commitment is a boost for Fulham as they look to build on recent stability and avoid disruption in key areas of the squad.

Everton forced to rethink summer strategy
Everton had prioritised strengthening their options at right-back this summer, particularly after veteran Ashley Young was not offered a new deal. With Seamus Coleman extending his stay for another year, manager David Moyes had targeted a younger, long-term solution on the right flank.

Having considered the Fulham man their primary target, Everton had believed negotiations were progressing towards a successful outcome. Tete's decision to remain at Craven Cottage has now left the Toffees with limited options in a market that continues to narrow as pre-season preparations intensify.

Among the possible alternatives are Kyle Walker-Peters, who is available on a free transfer, and Vladimir Coufal, who previously played under Moyes. Both players offer Premier League experience and versatility, but neither were seen as the club's first-choice solution.

Moyes evaluating in-house alternatives
In the meantime, Moyes may look internally to address his defensive needs. Jake O'Brien, brought in from Lyon primarily as a central defender, impressed in an unfamiliar right-back role during the second half of last season. His emergence has added depth, though questions remain over whether he's a long-term solution in that position.

Nathan Patterson is another option, though the Scotland international has been used sparingly since Moyes took charge, and it remains unclear whether he features in the manager's long-term vision.

Fulham stabilising ahead of new campaign
The west London side have been proactive in retaining key members of their squad, and Tete's extension will be viewed as a signal of continuity and ambition. Fulham are aiming to build on their mid-table finish and potentially challenge for a top-half spot next season.

The decision also reinforces the club's reputation as an environment where players can develop and settle long-term — a point underlined by Tete himself in his comments. It marks a notable moment of resolve, particularly with interest from another established Premier League side intensifying in recent weeks.



https://www.eplindex.com/133028/report-fulham-fend-off-everton-to-keep-key-player-in-major-contract-twist.html

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Brighton & Hove Albion set reduced price to sell Evan Ferguson
Everton and Fulham can reportedly 20-year-old sign Brighton & Hove Albion attacking sensation Evan Ferguson for a cut-price fee.

According to a report from Football Insider, Brighton & Hove Albion are ready to sanction the departure of Evan Ferguson for as little as £28 million this summer. It is a massive boost for clubs like Everton and Fulham, who are interested in signing the Irish international.

Ferguson got promoted to Brighton's first team back in 2022, and he did have quite a debut season. In just 10 starts, he found the back of the net on six occasions. His value skyrocketed, and there was a lot of interest in him from across Europe.

There were once talks about him being valued at around £100 million, but things have only gone downhill for him over the last two seasons. The youngster has struggled with injuries as well as with form. Last season, he could only find the back of the net once for Brighton in the first half.

While he was on loan at West Ham during the second half, the 20-year-old hardly got any opportunity under Graham Potter and failed to score even once. Ferguson's loan spell at the London club has put off buyers from paying a huge fee, and his valuation has dropped further.

Ferguson to be available for just £28 million
While Evan Ferguson's contract at Brighton runs until the summer of 2029, they seem ready to sanction his departure amidst interest from the likes of Everton and Fulham. The Seagulls are looking for a fee of around £28 million, which could prove to be a bargain for interested clubs, given the Irishman has a lot of time to turn things around.

The Cottagers are looking to add a young striker to the mix as Raul Jimenez is not going to get any younger. Meanwhile, David Moyes seeks more quality in the final third, and he is a huge admirer of Ferguson.

A change of scenery could help the 20-year-old get things back on track. But he is unlikely to be a guaranteed starter at either club, and Ferguson will have a lot of competition for a place in the XI. Meanwhile, his departure could give Brighton some funds to reinforce other areas on the pitch.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2025/07/02/brighton-hove-albion-set-reduced-price-to-sell-evan-ferguson/

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Tolu Arokodare: Premier League returnees to lock horns with Manchester United, Fulham for Super Eagles star
Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare has been linked to multiple Premier League clubs this summer, and one more side has joined the fray, Soccernet.ng reports.

Arokodare is coming off a stellar campaign with Belgian Jupiler Pro League club Genk. The big 24-year-old striker contributed 23 goals and seven assists in 45 appearances for the Smurfs last season, helping them to the Pro League playoffs, where they finished third behind Royale Union SG and Club Brugge.

Arokodare's brilliance earned him the Belgian Ebony Shoe Award and a first invite to the Super Eagles squad.

Meanwhile, there have been a lot of speculations that the Super Eagles star could leave Cegeka Arena this summer, amid interest from the English Premiership League.

Manchester United, and Fulham have been touted as potential destinations for the Super Eagles star. Other clubs like AC Milan and Bayern Munich have also been in the mix.

But according to The Telegraph, newly-promoted Premier League club Burnley are considering a move for the Super Eagles star this summer.

The Clarets lack a top-quality striker, and they are looking to add some new talents to be able to compete in the Premier League next season, after they were relegated two seasons ago.

Arokodare is a budget-friendly option, as he is valued at €18 million, albeit Genk would likely demand a fee in the region of €25 million.

Should Tolu Arokodare move to Burnley?
Tolu Arokodare will have to be careful as he is looking to make his next big career step. His compatriot Paul Onuachu, who was larger than life before he left Genk for Southampton three seasons ago, is yet to find his feet.

Making the switch to a bigger league will definitely be a big chance for him, so he has to think about it thoroughly.

Burnley would be a shaky decision for Arokodare, as they are likely to get relegation if the performances of newly-promoted Premier League clubs are anything to go by.

If Arokodare gets relegated with Burnley it might be tough for him to get back up. Moreover, a club like Burnley could easily sack coaches if results don't go their way.

If the Super Eagles star wants to leave, a traditional mid-table club would be smart, as he would be assured of stability.

While the Manchester United move might be a bit of an over kill, Fulham would be a very good option.



https://soccernet.ng/2025/07/tolu-arokodare-premier-league-manchester-united-fulham-super-eagles.html

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Fulham linked with Fofana foray
Fulham are one of a host of clubs interested in signing Olympique Lyonnais starlet Malick Fofana this summer, according to the Independent's Miguel Delaney.

The 20 year-old winger seems set to leave OL this summer following their relegation to Ligue 2 due to financial irregularities, which could spark a fire sale of the club's key players. Fofana, recently capped by Belgium after a stellar season with Olympique Lyonnais where he scored 11 goals in 41 games, has the ability to play anywhere across the forward line and is a man in demand. Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Napoli and Bayern Munich have all been in touch with Fofana's representatives and the French side are keen to generate a bidding war.

Delaney's report suggests OL have slapped a £51.5m price tag on their former Gant winger and it had been reported yesterday by Fabrizio Romano that Forest had agreed a deal to sign him. But L'Equipe reported yesterday that Fofana is seeking a move to a Champions' League side.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2025/07/fulham-linked-with-fofana-foray/

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Fulham: Kenny Tete's decision to stay marks beginning of bright new future for Cottagers
After spending three years in the top flight, Fulham must now push for fresh progress

Fulham's ability to ward off competition for right-back Kenny Tete and secure his future at the club is indicative of the strong foundations they've built since earning promotion to the Premier League three years ago.

The 29-year-old this week signed a new three-year contract, keeping him at Craven Cottage until 2028, with the club option to extend by a further 12 months.

Tete, whose contract expired at the end of June, had been expected to move to Everton, who offered the Dutchman a deal. But he instead decided to stay in London, where his family are settled, after being convinced of the club's direction under the stewardship of Marco Silva.

Tete has been an important part of Silva's side since joining from Lyon in 2020, helping Fulham to promotion to the Premier League in 2022.

The Dutch right-back has made 119 appearances for the Whites and was an integral part of Fulham's strong start to last season before an injury away to Liverpool in December left him out for four months.

Through collaboration between the director of football, Tony Khan, and Silva, Fulham have been keen to establish some stability after a succession of years spent bouncing between the Championship and the Premier League.

Shrewd, data-driven signings such as Tete's have played a big part in Fulham's recent success - they're entering their fourth successive season in the Premier League, and it's why the club were keen to tie him down to a new deal, with an offer on the table at the start of June.

"Under Marco's great leadership, Kenny is an integral player in the team. We are all very keen for him to stay with us, and I'm pleased that is now a long-term commitment, as we continue to prepare for another successful Premier League campaign," Khan said, highlighting the joined-up thinking behind the scenes that led to Tete being awarded a new contract.

Fulham were adamant they wanted to keep Tete and made that clear to him throughout negotiations, with the club presenting data to highlight his importance to the side.

Tete started all but one of Fulham's opening 15 league games last season before suffering a knee injury against Liverpool. He returned to fitness in April and started the final six league games of the campaign, underlining his importance to the team despite an injury-hit season.

Tete said after Fulham's final Premier League game of the season against Manchester City that he wanted to stay at the club but said that without Silva's influence, he might not have signed a new deal.

"If someone pushes that much for you, (it motivates you to stay). I'm really thankful for that. Without him, I don't know if I'd be here.

"Fulham, who finished 11th last season, have yet to make a signing this summer, but they're also not seeing the core of their team ripped apart like Bournemouth and Brentford, two teams that finished above them last year.

The Whites are calm about their lack of movement in the transfer window and believe their solid foundations, reinforced by Tete's new contract, mean they're in a better position than those around them to build on last season.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-kenny-tete-contract-b1236082.html

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Talks held: Fulham now approach agents of "incredible" £34m UCL finalist
Fulham have now approached the agents of an "incredible" player over a potential move to Craven Cottage, but it may take an offer of £34m to get a deal done, journalist Orazio Accomando has revealed.

Cottagers set sights on new midfielder
The Cottagers are yet to make any additions to their squad this summer, but the recent news that Kenny Tete is set to sign a new deal is a bonus, given that the Dutchman had been linked with a move to Everton.

In terms of potential new arrivals, Marco Silva appears to be particularly keen on strengthening his midfield options this summer, having identified a number of targets over the past month.

Target	Current club	Potential cost
Nadiem Amiri	Mainz	£15m
Kalvin Phillips	Manchester City	£21m
Joao Palhinha	Bayern Munich	£25m
Rocco Reitz	Borussia Monchengladbach	£17m

Having solidified themselves as a Premier League club, the west Londoners may now be in a position to be a tad more ambitious with their targets, and they have now made an approach for a 2025 Champions League finalist.

That is according to an update from Accomando on X, with the reporter stating that Fulham have now submitted an enquiry over a deal for Inter Milan star Hakan Çalhanoğlu, making contact with the midfielder's agents.

Inter aren't willing to let the maestro leave on the cheap, however, with the Italian club set to hold out for a fee of €40m (£34m), which may be prohibitive for fellow potential suitors Galatasaray, who are only willing to offer €15m (£13m).

The 31-year-old "wants" to join Galatasaray, but the Turkish champions may find it difficult to win the race for his signature if a bidding war breaks out, with Manchester United also expressing an interest.

Çalhanoğlu could be "incredible" coup for Fulham
It would be a real statement of intent if Fulham were able to sign a 2025 Champions League finalist, particularly one who played a major role in the Italian side reaching that stage of the competition.

The Inter star was a key player throughout the campaign, regularly providing goals and assists in all competitions, despite often featuring in a deep-lying role.

Competition	Appearances	Goals	Assists
Serie A	29	5	6
Champions League	12	4	2
Italian Cup	4	2	0

The Turk is also vastly experienced at international level, scoring 21 goals in 97 outings for his country, including a remarkable effort at Euro 2024.

Turkey assistant manager Daniele Russo was subsequently left impressed by the Germany-born midfielder, saying: "It goes without saying that he is an incredible player. He is also very good at protecting his young teammates."

As such, Çalhanoğlu could be a statement signing for Fulham this summer, but Galatasaray and Manchester United's interest could pose a problem.



https://www.footballfancast.com/talks-held-fulham-now-approach-agents-of-hakan-calhanoglu/

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Tete's U-turn 'shows Fulham's strength'
The Standard suggests tonight that Kenny Tete's decision to sign a contract extension with Fulham – and his U-turn after agreeing a move to Everton – illustrates why the Whites are in a much stronger position that many of their Premier League rivals.

Sam Tabeau's piece has a few interesting nuggets – such as the increasing influence of Marco Silva over Fulham's transfer and contractual policy – and the way that the data-driven approach, something director of football Tony Khan has always championed, has been hardwired into the way that Fulham operate. But some sections, such as the contention that the Whites always made clear to Tete that they wanted him to stay, stretch the bounds of credulity – especially when other journalists see Silva's phone call as 'crucial' in getting the right back the contract that he wanted.

The head coach's intervention – when it appeared as though his first-choice right back would be plying his trade at Everton's new Hill Dickinson stadium from August – was explicitly referenced in Tete's post-announcement chat with FFC TV. The Dutch defender said:

    "From the moment Marco [Silva] came, everything went up, we elevated! Here we are now. If someone pushes that much for you, then I'm really thankful for that! Without him, I don't know if I'd be here. I want to thank him for that. Now it's for me to give something back!"

Tete is far from the first Fulham player to stress how successful Silva has been – either in bringing them to the club, improving individuals or tactically creating a stronger side. It is also why the head coach's own contractual situation remains pivotal to Fulham's future progress. The Portuguese boss rejected overtures from England and abroad to continue his Craven Cottage adventure but he has yet to put pen to paper on his own extension, with only eleven months remaining on current deal.

The concluding paragraphs of Tabeau's article are telling.

    "Fulham, who finished 11th last season, have yet to make a signing this summer, but they're also not seeing the core of their team ripped apart like Bournemouth and Brentford, two teams that finished above them last year.

    The Whites are calm about their lack of movement in the transfer window and believe their solid foundations, reinforced by Tete's new contract, mean they're in a better position than those around them to build on last season."

Whilst it is undoubtedly a good thing that Fulham have yet to sell a key player this summer – like Aleksandar Mitrovic and Joao Palhinha in previous years – Silva has made it plain that he is looking for the board to match his own ambition. The head coach has presented a hefty shopping list to the Fulham hierarchy and those acquisitions will be essential in ensuring that London's oldest professional club can realise their dreams of bringing European football back to the banks of the Thames.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2025/07/tetes-u-turn-shows-fulhams-strength/

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Manchester United Would Have To Rival Fulham For This Serie A Midfielder: Good Fit For Amorim?
In a recent report, journalist Orazio Accomando revealed that Manchester United would have to rival Fulham for Inter Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu. It has been stated that the Red Devils are eyeing a move to bring the Turkish talent to Old Trafford this summer.

Calhanoglu's Impressive Form In Serie A Last Season
Calhanoglu produced a string of impressive performances at the centre of Inter's midfield in the previous campaign. The Germany-born talent was involved in 47 matches for the Italian outfit last season, scoring 11 times and earning eight assists across all fronts.

The 31-year-old deserves some credit for making 43 tackles, 17 blocks and 17 interceptions in Serie A. He was even excellent when distributing possession from midfield after completing 86.6% of his attempted passes in the top tier of Italian football (stats via fbref.com).

His current contract at the Italian club will run out in the summer of 2027. Therefore, Man United would have to make a good offer if they want to lure him to Old Trafford in this transfer window.

Is Calhanoglu A Good Fit For Manchester United Boss Ruben Amorim?
Calhanoglu is a tough-tackling midfielder who can scan the danger well to earn possession back for his team inside his half. He usually puts his foot through the ball when required and is a tidy passer as well.

The Turkish talent can contribute by scoring and creating a lot of important goals for his team. However, there are some concerns over whether he can maintain his good form in Premier League football.

At 31, Calhanoglu is entering the twilight years of his playing career. Therefore, he would only serve as a good fit for Man United's needs in the short term. We can expect Calhanoglu to inject more quality into Ruben Amorim's midfield. He has what it takes to nail down a regular starting spot at Old Trafford next season.

Calhanoglu might even help the Red Devils challenge for a European spot in the Premier League over the next few years. With all things considered, Amorim should focus on going all out to get the Turkish sensation on board but only if he can get him for a reasonable fee.



https://the4thofficial.net/2025/07/manchester-united-would-have-to-rival-fulham-for-this-talented-midfielder/