Friday Fulham Stuff - 30/08/24...

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Lille dismiss Fulham and Manchester United interest in Edon Zhegrova
Edon Zhegrova (25) has been a key part of the Lille OSC side that has reached the league phase of the UEFA Champions League. With just hours remaining in the transfer window, LOSC have ruled out selling the Kosovan winger, despite interest from the Premier League.

It was Zhegrova who netted what was ultimately the all-important goal in the Champions League play-off. This season, just ike last season, the winger looks set to be a crucial player for Lille, who have defied expectations and retained many of their key players.

However, according to Le Parisien, Fulham had made concrete steps to sign Zhegrova and were readying an official offer. Reports had also linked Manchester United with a move for the forward, however, LOSC are holding firm in their stance that, with the club set to compete in the Champions League, they will not sell their star winger before the closure of the window.




https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2024/lille-dismiss-fulham-and-manchester-united-interest-in-edon-zhegrova/

[WhiteJC]

Birmingham City Still In Race For Fulham Striker
Birmingham City have are still in the race to sign Fulham striker Jay Stansfield on deadline day, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The Blues shocked everyone earlier today when they tabled a League One record bid of £10m for the Fulham striker.

The Premier League club knocked back the bid as Fulham boss Marco Silva rates the young striker highly and wants to keep him around.

Birmingham were said to be frustrated by their unprecedented bid getting rejected by the West London club.

However, Stansfield joining the League One club today is still very much a possibility in the final hours of the transfer window.

Birmingham are still interested in the forward and are holding discussions over getting a deal done to sign him.

Any permanent move would be a League One record signing given the staggering nature of their earlier bid.

Stansfield impressed on loan at Birmingham and they want him to power their promotion bid from League One this season.




https://insidefutbol.com/2024/08/30/birmingham-city-still-in-race-for-fulham-striker/659593/

[WhiteJC]

Blackburn Rovers transfer state of play as Godo deal stalls
A deal for Fulham winger Martial Godo to join Blackburn Rovers is now unlikely, The Lancashire Telegraph understands.

 Rovers were keen to bring the 21-year-old in on transfer deadline day. Talks with the Cottagers were moving in the right direction earlier in the day but have now broken down.

Godo spent last season on loan at Wigan Athletic, where he scored four times and registered five assists in 30 appearances for the League One side.

The club have already announced the signings of Balazs Toth and Amario Cuzier-Dubbery on deadline day. Todd Cantwell has completed his medical and is on track to become a Rovers player in advance of the 11pm deadline.

However, it now looks like Cantwell will be Rovers' final piece of transfer business. The deal for Godo hasn't been entirely ruled out and, equally, Rovers could make a late play for another target to replace him but it is doubtful at the time of writing.

No outgoings are anticipated at Ewood Park and, in truth, Rovers are still very well stocked without Godo. They have seven options for three players in-behind their striker, with Cozier-Dubbery and Cantwell adding to Joe Rankin-Costello, Ryan Hedges, Tyrhys Dolan, Arnor Sigurdsson and Andi Weimann. Zak Gilsenan is also an option though he remains injured.



https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/24553312.blackburn-rovers-transfer-state-play-godo-deal-stalls/

[WhiteJC]

Ernest Nuamah makes transfer decision with Everton in advanced talks
Lyon winger Ernest Nuamah has decided that he fancies a move to Fulham over Everton, according to HITC.

The news outlet reported on 30 August that despite the Toffees being in advanced talks to sign the Ghana international, he will be moving to Craven Cottage.

It's understood that the Toffees are still keen on bringing new players through the door before the 11pm deadline.

Everton must continue focusing on other strengthening other areas
The Toffees' pursuit of the 20-year-old, despite his preference for Fulham, should not deter the club from their transfer strategy, particularly in focusing on a striker and a left-back.

Nuamah's decision highlights a broader need within Everton's squad for depth and quality in attacking positions, but more critically, the team's current setup demands a robust striker to lead the line and a reliable left-back to bolster the defence.

The departure of key players in recent seasons has left the club with a pressing need for a goal scorer who can not only share the burden with existing forwards but also provide a different dynamic in attack.

Similarly, at left-back, there's still a dearth of sufficient competition or cover, which is vital for maintaining squad rotation and tactical flexibility.

Thus, Everton's focus should pivot towards these roles to address immediate team balance and future-proofing against injuries or form dips, ensuring they are well-equipped for the Premier League's rigours.




https://www.goodisonnews.com/2024/08/30/ernest-nuamah-makes-transfer-decision-with-everton-in-advanced-talks/

[WhiteJC]

What Tom Brady has done to try and get Jay Stansfield to Birmingham over the line from Fulham
It has been quite the transfer window at Birmingham City this summer as they have completely overhauled their squad with big spending.

The Blues, backed by American money and notably NFL legend, Tom Brady, have spent heavily in building a new team for new manager Chris Davies to get out of League One with.

In have come the likes of Christopher Klarer, Lyndon Dykes, and Emil Hansson for big money at that level.

Remarkably though, Birmingham are not quite done and they've been trying all deadline day to get a deal done for Fulham starlet, Jay Stansfield.

Stansfield has emerged as a major target for the Blues and reports have suggested Birmingham have bid as much as £9m for Stansfield today.

As of now, those bids have been rejected and Birmingham are still looking around the market.

But interestingly, a report from the Daily Mail has made a big claim involving Tom Brady and Birmingham's new additions.

Tom Brady taking matters into his own hands at Birmingham City
According to the report from the Mail, Brady has been giving things a more than hands on approach when it comes to signing new players.

It's claimed in the report that Brady has such an influence at the club that he has even spoken to potential signings during negotiations.

Brady has used his status and pitch to essentially sell the club to potential new recruits and looking at the record this summer, he's done very well.

It's suggested that should Birmingham keep pushing for Stansfield, then Brady might well be involved again as he looks to get a huge deal done.

The £9m fee would be a comfortable record for a League One signing and would Birmingham's summer spending well above the £20m mark for the summer.

Brady, then, could have one last trick up his sleeve here.



https://tbrfootball.com/report-what-tom-brady-has-done-to-try-and-get-jay-stansfield-to-birmingham-over-the-line/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham's Pursuit Of Everton-Linked Winger Stalls
Fulham's pursuit of Everton target Ernest Nuamah from Lyon has stalled on deadline day, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

The West London club have been in talks with Lyon to secure a deal to take the 20-year-old winger to Craven Cottage.

The negotiations spilled over to the final day of the transfer but it seemed Fulham could be making progress in their pursuit of the winger.

Everton were also interested but the Merseyside club were unlikely to sign the winger on the final day of the window.

However, it has been claimed that Nuamah might not even end up at Fulham before the window closes tonight.

The talks between the two clubs have stalled and there is no deal in sign for the winger to move to Fulham.

With only hours left in the window, Fulham are running out of time to find a breakthrough in the negotiations.

It remains to be seen whether Everton try to take advantage of the situation by reviving their interest in the Lyon winger in the coming hours.



https://insidefutbol.com/2024/08/30/fulhams-pursuit-of-everton-linked-winger-stalls/659604/