Thursday Fulham Stuff - 02/04/26...

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Fulham transfer news: Why Cottagers may need to pay extra to rekindle Ricardo Pepi deal
Fulham may need to pay around €50m (£43.6m) to rekindle the deal for PSV Eindhoven forward Ricardo Pepi.

After failing to sign Pepi in the winter window, Fulham quickly turned their focus to securing a deal for the summer market.

The Cottagers looked to be in a strong position to achieve that goal after agreeing a fee with PSV.

However, it soon emerged that the proposed transfer had collapsed over a disagreement about when the ownership of the player would be transferred.

PSV could increase asking price for Fulham-linked Pepi
After seeing the deal fall through, it remains to be seen whether Fulham will revisit their interest at the end of the season.

However, according to the #DoneDeal podcast from Voetbal Primeur, there is a possibility that PSV could increase their asking price in the summer window.

The podcast claims that Fulham have "shot themselves in the foot" by not getting the deal over the line when they had the chance.

There is a belief that PSV will demand around €50m (£43.6m) if Pepi enjoys a strong finish to the Eredivisie season and then impresses for the USA at the World Cup.

What has Pepi said about his transfer situation?
Pepi refused to go into any detail when he was recently asked about the Fulham transfer saga while on international duty with the USA.

The 23-year-old insisted he remained focused on his work with the national team and that "whatever happens is going to happen" regarding his club future.

From Fulham's perspective, they will still be keen to sign a new striker, with Jonah Kusi-Asare likely to return to Bayern Munich following an unsuccessful loan spell.

However, it is unclear whether the recent transfer drama will deter Pepi from entertaining a move to Craven Cottage.

The PSV could attract signicant interest from elsewhere after scoring 10 goals in 20 Eredivisie appearances this season.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/transfer-talk/news/why-fulham-may-need-to-pay-extra-to-rekindle-pepi-deal_594820.html

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Div 1 Champs 25 years on: April

To commemorate the 25 year anniversary of Fulham's 2000/01 title winning season, at the start of every month we will look back on how Jean Tigana's side fared this time quarter of a century ago.

April

April 2001 will surely gone down as one of the greatest months in the history of Fulham Football Club.

In fact, there was a six-day spell which saw us knock a rival manager off his perch, confirm promotion, and lock in the Division One title. But more on that later.

The month started in slightly drab fashion as West Bromwich Albion – one of the sides in the Play-Off hunt – proved stubborn opposition at the Cottage, duly leaving with a point from a goalless draw.

Perhaps the lads had one eye on the next match – a trip to closest rivals Blackburn Rovers. We say 'closest rivals,' but they did sit 13 points behind Fulham, making this pre-match quote from manager Graeme Souness all the more bizarre...

"I admire Fulham because I think they're a good footballing team – but so are we. Up until now they've proved that they are the best because they're ahead of us in the Championship. But I feel that we've been the best team, certainly in the second half of the season. Now we have to go out and show that on Wednesday."

Souness will have felt vindicated by how the game began. As was the case in the reverse fixture, an early Matt Jansen goal had Rovers in front, and they then went a man up when Rufus Brevett was shown a red card.

For context, Barry Hayles was riled up after taking an elbow to the face from David Dunn which went unpunished, which probably played a part in the force with which he challenged Keith Gillespie. Brevett played on until the whistle was blown for the free-kick, which Garry Flitcroft took umbrage with and promptly floored the Fulham left-back. Brevett's response was the faintest flick of a boot in Flitcroft's direction, but that was enough to see him dismissed. The only man carded throughout the entire evening, somehow...

But the Fulham spirit was unbreakable. We went into half-time level when Louis Saha gobbled up the loose ball as Brad Friedel dropped a cross, and then completed the turnaround in second half stoppage time when Sean Davis got on the end of a deflected Lee Clark strike to half volley home in front of 1,500 ecstatic travelling supporters. All of whom can boast a terrific 'I was there' moment. Even the super-chill Jean Tigana was sprinting down the touchline.

The final word, though, goes to Souness.

"The fact that they have done the double on us and the number of points they lead by may suggest otherwise, but I still believe we are the better side."

With our next match just 40 or so miles east in Huddersfield three days later, the team stayed up north, and had the opportunity to go and watch Bolton Wanderers' Friday night fixture. The Sky Sports cameras must have got wind of this and so panned to the hospitality box that was housing the boys, where a couple were conspicuous by their absence... Barry Hayles and Sean Davis had nipped over to the TGI Fridays in the adjacent retail park, something that was not lost on boss Jean Tigana who was watching on television back at the hotel!

Back on the pitch, we faced a Huddersfield side who were fighting for their lives and on a good run, with 11 points from their previous five matches hauling them out of the relegation zone. The Bolton game that – most of – the squad had gone to watch the day before had ended 2-2, which meant that just a point at the McAlpine Stadium would be enough to confirm Fulham's place in the promised land. In the end, we took all three.

Luis Boa Morte was heavily involved in the key moments, first winning the penalty that Louis Saha dispatched midway through the second half, and then poking home the winner five minutes from time having beaten opposition goalkeeper Nico Vaesen to the ball, after Delroy Facey had temporarily restored parity.

Appropriately, the Fulham goals came in front of our ecstatic travelling fans, who at full-time were able to celebrate the end of our 33 year hiatus from England's top flight.

There was little time to dwell on those celebrations, though, as just two days later we were back at the Cottage looking to secure the title. Our vastly superior goal difference meant that this was a formality, but the desire to make it mathematically confirmed was pumping through the turnstiles and into the ground.

In true Fulhamish style, we made hard work of it. Gerald Sibon's corner went straight in on the stroke of half-time, a deficit that we spent the entirety of the second half trying to come back from without success. That was until another historic Sean Davis moment, when his sweeping effort from an excellent Barry Hayles lay-off found the top corner in stoppage time.

Another 'pinch me' moment for those lucky enough to witness it.

Penalties were the name of the game in the fixtures that followed Fulham's title decider, with Louis Saha bagging three of them to earn a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth and a 2-0 home win over Wolves. The highlight of the latter, though, was a first appearance of the season for Simon Morgan, who came off the bench in the 77th minute to an incredible ovation and was later announced as Man of the Match by Diddy David Hamilton, despite touching the ball just eight times! That was the last of Morgan's 408 appearances for Fulham.

Our final home game of the season the following Saturday was when we would receive the Division One trophy, with penalties a key theme once again as Wimbledon threatened to spoil the party through Jason Euell's late opener from the spot. Thankfully, Luis Boa Morte was on hand to dispatch one of our own with three minutes remaining, not that a defeat would have dampened the party spirit at the Cottage, which was bedecked in black and white scarves, flags and tickertape.

There was one remaining fixture to be played in May, but after a season of triumph, we don't need to go into detail of Fulham's final day defeat at Grimsby Town...



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/april/01/div-1-champs-25-years-on-april/

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Manchester City open to Rico Lewis sale this summer
Manchester City may entertain offers for 21-year-old English international Rico Lewis in the summer transfer window amid his links with Everton, Fulham, and Newcastle United.

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Everton, Fulham, and Newcastle United are interested in Manchester City defender Rico Lewis. The three Premier League clubs are keen on reinforcing their defensive units by signing a right-back in the coming months. The latest report has brought good news for them, as Manchester City may cash in on the 21-year-old homegrown player this summer.

Rico Lewis and his career so far
Rico Lewis has endured a topsy-turvy ride since breaking into the first-team squad at Manchester City. The Englishman spent his formative years with the Premier League giants before making his senior bow at the onset of the 2022/23 season. While the 21-year-old has not been an undisputed first-choice starter for Manchester City, he has made considerable progress since then.

The English international has appeared over 100 times for Manchester City thus far while chipping in with seven goals and 12 assists. However, Lewis faces an uncertain future at the Etihad after struggling for regular game time this season. Meanwhile, Everton, Fulham, and Newcastle United are among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.

A man in demand
Everton will likely dip into the market for a right-back in the upcoming transfer window, as David Moyes wants a new recognised option for the position. While Jake O'Brien has been decent this term, he is primarily a centre-back. Additionally, Seamus Coleman is in the twilight of his career, while Nathan Patterson has struggled for regular game time during his spell with Everton.

Meanwhile, Fulham's interest in Rico Lewis is surprising. Marco Silva has two right-backs in his squad, with Timothy Castagne and Kenny Tete being solid whenever they have been fit and available. While Lewis can be a top-class addition to the squad, Fulham should focus on bolstering other areas of the first-team squad unless they sell a right-back this summer.

As for Newcastle United, Valentino Livramento's long-term future is uncertain amid his stalled contract talks. Additionally, Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth are on the wrong side of 30, with the duo facing an uncertain future at St. James' Park. So, Newcastle United must sign a right-back, with Lewis an option worth considering.

Interestingly, Livramento is a target for Manchester City, and the Citizens' bid to sign a right-back will spell doom for Lewis. So, a move away from the Etihad may be on the cards for the 21-year-old English international. However, it is unclear where the young homegrown defender will land.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/04/01/manchester-city-open-to-rico-lewis-sale-this-summer/

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Internationals: Joa goal in vain as Denmark lose on pens
Joachim Andersen was on target in Denmark's World Cup Play-Off Final against Czechia, but it ended in disappointment for his side as they were defeated on penalties.

Having trailed since the third minute in Prague, Andersen forced extra-time when he beat the 'keeper to Mikkel Damsgaard's free-kick to head home his second international goal.

Wolves' Ladislav Krejčí put the hosts back in front on 100 minutes, but Denmark fought back once again to take the tie to a penalty shootout, only for Rasmus Højlund, Anders Dreyer and Mathias Jensen to all miss from the spot.

It means 2026 will be the first World Cup in 12 years not to feature Denmark.

In friendly action, Harry Wilson played the full 90 minutes of Wales' 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland.

It's not the fixture either nation had hoped to be playing on Tuesday evening after their respective Play-Off Semi-Finals last week, which might have played a part in the lacklustre display in Cardiff as Sorba Thomas cancelled out Jamie Donley's opener.

Elsewhere in Europe, Sander Berge played all of Norway's goalless draw with Switzerland, and Oscar Bobb got the second half. In Under-21 Euro qualifying, Josh King came on for the final quarter of an hour of England's 4-1 victory over Moldova, and Jonah Kusi-Asare was introduced for the final quarter of Sweden's 4-0 defeat by Italy.

Further afield, Saša Lukić came off the bench for the final eight minutes of Serbia's 2-1 win in Saudi Arabia, while Raúl Jiménez and Timothy Castagne shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in Mexico City. Both players departed the action midway through the second half.

Finally, Antonee Robinson played the first half of the United States' 2-0 defeat by Portugal, Issa Diop saw all of Morocco's 2-1 victory over Paraguay, and Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi were second half substitutes in Nigeria's 2-2 draw with Jordan, with Iwobi sent off in stoppage time.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/april/01/internationals-joa-goal-in-vain-as-denmark-lose-on-pens/

[WhiteJC]

Away day guide: Liverpool v Fulham

LIVERPOOL v FULHAM
Saturday 11 April, 5.30pm

Fulham head to Anfield to take on Liverpool after a three-week break. This fixture falls both on Grand National Day and the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. We would like to advise Fulham fans to expect significant delays and disruption on account of the Grand National taking place earlier in the afternoon.

For those not making the trip to Merseyside, the game will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. The Riverside Market on Fulham Pier will also show the match live if you would like to watch at Craven Cottage.

TICKET INFORMATION

All tickets for this fixture have been sold.

BY CAR
Remain on the M62 until the end of the motorway, where you should stay on the right and follow the signs for 'Football Stadia' along the A5058 Ring Road (North). After around three miles, take a left at the traffic lights (where the McDonald's will loom into view) into Utting Avenue. Stay on Utting Avenue for a mile and then turn right at the Arkles pub for Anfield.

BY TRAIN
Most Fulham fans will arrive at Liverpool Lime Street on trains from London. Lime Street is about two miles from Anfield so, whilst walking is an option, a taxi (approximately £8) or making use of Kirkdale or Sandhills stations are probably more suitable options. Kirkdale is closer to Anfield than Sandhills, but the latter has the benefit of being ideally located for the use of the special Soccerbuses that run on a matchday (£3.50 return for adults, £1.50 juniors). Supporters should ask for a return to Anfield as the train ticket is then valid for the Soccerbus as well.

BY BUS
To get to the stadium from the city centre, use the 917 and Soccerbus service that shuttles fans direct to Anfield from three and a half hours before kick-off, when the game is over, buses will be departing from Anfield, 10 minutes after the final whistle.

917 service operates from Commutation Row in the City Centre near to Lime Street Station and the return service departs from Walton Lane after the match. Buses will be stacked on Walton Lane from the junction with Walton Breck Road to Anfield Road.

Adult Return – £4.00 Young Person – Day – £2.20 (MyTicket)

You can also get the number 26 from Liverpool ONE Bus Station Number 17 from Queen Square Bus Station

BY TAXI
There are two taxi ranks at Liverpool Lime Street, one at the front and one at the back of the station. Uber and Bolt are also available taxi services that service the city.

PARKING

FOR CARS
Fulham fans should be advised that there is no longer ample parking at Stanley Park as these facilities are reserved for permit holders only and the streets surrounding the stadium are within a strictly-monitored residents' parking zone. The nearest place to park for visiting fans to Anfield is actually at Goodison Park (£10), although The Dockers' Club at Waterloo Dock on Townsend Lane (A580) has offered £5 parking this season. It is about a 15-minute walk from the Dockers' Club to the ground. Alternatively, park in the city centre and walk or take the bus to Anfield. You can park in Mount Pleasant car park which is a 5 minute walk from Lime Street station for £5.

FOR BICYCLES
The Cycle Hub is a FREE service that allows fans who cycle to the game to drop-off and park their bike safely and securely with an attendant. The Cycle Hub is situated at the top of Stanley Park Car Park, a few minutes' walk from the Anfield Road end of the Stadium. Simply ride to the Cycle Hub, where staff will register and secure your bike. Please ensure you have a cycle lock with you. You will be given a receipt which must be presented on collection.

ENJOYING THE AREA

AWAY PUBS
Many pubs in Liverpool City Centre will cater to away fans, but some will ask visiting supporters to cover up any colours. The designated away pub is The Arkles, a brilliant Greene King venue, on Anfield Road (77 Anfield Road, Anfield, Liverpool L4 0TJ). It usually gets very busy on matchdays so if, you are looking for a pre-match pint, it is advisable to get there early.

The Trust have also been contacted by our friends at Marine FC, who would be happy to host Fulham fans if they wish to break up their journey to Liverpool. Please see this video below for the welcome you would receive in the marvellous Marine fanzone:

If you would like to book the fanzone in Marine, please contact Darren Court, Marine FC's Commercial Development Manager, on email via [email protected] or by calling 0151 924 1743.

FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS
Liverpool city centre has a wide range of cafes and restaurants to enjoy pre-match, with places such as Bold St and Seal St good locations to head towards. Closer to the stadium, County Road has a selection of places for quick-bites pre-match.

The Lion, County Road – Sri-Lankan/Japanese fare.

Fat Hippo, Bold Street – burgers and hearty meals in the city centre.

GUIDES FOR YOUR DAY

Official LFC away fan guide

Accessibility guide – provided by Level Playing Field

USEFUL TO KNOW
Anfield stadium is cashless – please bring a credit or debit card to make payments within the stadium

Under 5s policy – babies and small children are allowed at any age into Anfield, as long as they have a ticket and a seat allocated to them.

Bag policy – Only bags that are A5 size or smaller or purchases from official show merchandise in the clear plastic carrier bag provided will be permitted in to the stadium. Those bags permitted will be subjected to a bag search on entry point.



https://www.fulhamsupporterstrust.com/news/2026/04/away-day-guide-liverpool-v-fulham/