Sunday Fulham Stuff - 30/08/26...

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Fulham in talks to sign "unstoppable" player who plays in priority position for Arbeloa
Fulham have been in talks to sign Rayo Vallecano defender Andrei Ratiu, with Alvaro Arbeloa eager to bring in a new right-back before the September 1st transfer deadline.

Arbeloa admitted he wants to make more additions before the summer transfer window comes to a close, with the Spaniard saying: "I think we can make the squad stronger and more balanced, but I'm happy with the way that the club is working during this summer, like I said, with the three new players, so we are still working on it."

That is despite the Cottagers already making a number of key signings this summer, with Arbeloa choosing to raid former club Real Madrid for two players.

Fulham's summer signings	Joined from	Transfer fee
Gonzalo Garcia	Real Madrid	£34m
Shea Charles	Southampton	£30m
Cesar Palacios	Real Madrid	£8.5m
Jonah Kusi-Asare	Bayern Munich	£5.2m

However, the west Londoners have mainly focused on strengthening in midfield and attack this summer thus far, and bringing in a new right-back could be particularly important, given that Kenny Tete has agreed personal terms for a move to Everton.

https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2093755726648824208

Ratiu could be a solid replacement, considering he has now proven himself in one of Europe's top leagues, making 84 La Liga appearances during his time with Rayo Vallecano.

An average of 1.2 interceptions in La Liga last season was the third-highest number in the squad, while he is also capable of contributing on the front foot, creating 43 chances, which was the most of any Rayo Vallecano player.

The 38-cap Romania international also chipped in with four assists in La Liga, and he has been lauded as "unstoppable" by journalist Jonay Amaro.

Fulham in talks to sign Andrei Ratiu
According to Sky Sports, Fulham are now in talks to sign Ratiu, with bringing in a new right-back regarded as a priority for Arbeloa before the fast approaching transfer deadline, which is on Tuesday night.

Arbeloa's side are also looking to bring in a 'fast right-sided centre-back and a right-winger' if possible, with the manager still eager to strengthen at both ends of the pitch.

Getting their recruitment right may be very important for the Cottagers, as Gary Neville has suggested they could have a tough season ahead, after losing Marco Silva, and they succumbed to a 3-2 defeat at home against Chelsea in their opening match.



https://www.footballfancast.com/fulham-in-transfer-talks-to-sign-andrei-ratiu-arbeloa/

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Fulham player set for Portugal move – Medical done, permanent deal possible
Fulham youngster Samuel Amissah is set to leave the club and continue his development in Portugal with Estoril.

The 19-year-old is already at the Portuguese club and the deal is described as done. Saturday's editions of Record and A Bola both report the move, with the latter providing a few extra details.

Amissah only signed a new contract at Craven Cottage in July. That deal runs until 2029 and Fulham have an option for another year.

Loan was the original plan
A Bola say Amissah has already arrived at Estoril's training ground and underwent his medical on Friday morning.

Their first information pointed towards a loan from Fulham. However, they now say a permanent transfer hasn't been ruled out.

That's quite a difference considering the timing. Fulham moved to secure Amissah's future only last month. Sending him out on loan for senior football would therefore make plenty of sense.

A permanent exit so soon after that renewal would make the situation a little more interesting.

Record don't provide the formula of the deal. They say Amissah will sign his contract and be presented as an Estoril player after the medical.

Both Portuguese newspapers, though, make it clear that his move is essentially sorted.

First experience away from Fulham
Amissah has spent his entire career at Fulham and hasn't yet made his senior debut. He played 23 times for their U21s last season, scoring twice.

The defender also has plenty of experience with England's youth sides. A Bola say he has made 26 appearances from U16 to U19 level.

Born in England and also holding Ghanaian nationality, Amissah is primarily a centre-back. He can play on either side of defence as well.

A Bola explain that the youngster sees Estoril's project as the right place for this important stage of his development. It should give him a much clearer route towards senior football than he currently has at Craven Cottage.

What Fulham have decided regarding his longer-term future is less clear. A loan looked to be the original idea, but a permanent deal is apparently still possible.

Either way, Amissah has arrived, completed his medical and is now expected to become an Estoril player.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-player-set-for-portugal-move-medical-done-permanent-deal-possible/

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Sunderland v Fulham line-ups: Andersen returns
Fulham make one change for the game at Sunderland, with Joachim Andersen returning after suspension. It means Jorge Cuenca drops to the bench.

Kenny Tete is not in the Whites' matchday squad as he is close to signing for Everton.

Sunderland: Roefs, Mandava, Mukiele, Ballard, Meunier, Xhaka, Sadiki, Angulo, Le Fee, Hume, Brobbey.

Subs: Ellborg, Alderete, O'Nien, Diarra, Mundle, Rigg, Talbi, Isidor, Ahoka.

Fulham: Leno, Robinson, Andersen, Bassey, Castagne, Iwobi, Berge, Palacios, King, Bobb, Garcia.

Subs: Lecomte, Cuenca, Reed, Zepa, Sessegnon, Smith Rowe, Charles, Kevin, Muniz.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/sunderland-v-fulham-line-ups-andersen-returns#google_vignette

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'We Want To Protect Him' – Chris Cohen Eager To Look After Former Fulham Man
Chris Cohen explained how he wants Lincoln City's defenders to protect former Fulham keeper George Wickens after another superb performance by the big stopper.

Wickens kept his first Championship clean sheet at Bolton Wanderers yesterday, making six saves as the Imps grabbed the first points of the season. Signed from Fulham for a fee thought to be around £150,000, the 24-year-old is closing in on 100 appearances for the Imps and is growing in confidence.

When asked about the keeper in the post-match press conference, Chris admitted that while the outfield players might take a little time to bed in, George can be relied on to make those big saves.

    "I just think we've got so many players that are going to showcase themselves, and it's going to take time, and it's not going to be perfect," Chris said after the game.

    "We understand that away from home we're going to have to have a lot of performances like that to win games. And to do that, you need your goalkeeper. George has made big saves for this football club ever since he's come, and we expect him to do that.

    "We don't want him to do that because we want to protect him and hopefully not have as many shots on our goal as he may have had today.

    "But when needed to step up, he's done that relentlessly, and we're excited to see him play at the level."

Match winner Ben House was also eager to praise his teammate. House grabbed his second goal of the season, a glancing header from Callum Elder's long throw, but he saw Wickens make a late save from Josh Sheehan's free-kick to keep the game level.

    "George is a top keeper," said House.

    "We know we need him and he made some amazing saves. He's an amazing, amazing top keeper.

    "But credit to everyone. We all dug deep and everyone put in a shift to get the win."

Wickens gained his first senior experience during loan spells with Wealdstone and Ross County before joining City from Fulham in July 2024.

He played a key role in our 2025/26 promotion, keeping 19 clean sheets to share the League One Golden Glove and earning a place in the division's Team of the Season alongside Tendayi Darikwa, Sonny Bradley and Jack Moylan.

His four assists also equalled Ederson's record for a goalkeeper in an English league season, and he subsequently signed a new three-year City contract with the option of a further year.



https://staceywest.net/2026/08/30/we-want-to-protect-him-chris-cohen-eager-to-look-after-former-fulham-man/