Thursday Fulham Stuff - 30/04/26...

[WhiteJC]

Fulham eyeing summer move for Danilo
Fulham will reportedly look to sign 24-year-old Brazilian international Danilo from Botafogo in the summer transfer window.

According to a report by Globo Esporte, Botafogo midfielder Danilo is the subject of interest from Fulham. The Cottagers are keen on reinforcing their midfield unit by signing a holding midfielder in the upcoming transfer window, and they have established contact for a possible summer move.

However, Fulham will not be alone in the battle for the South American midfielder's signature, as he is also a target for Zenit St Petersburg. The Russian giants have also registered their interest in the player, with the report suggesting he is "expected to leave Botafogo" during the World Cup break, potentially intensifying the race between suitors.

How has Danilo fared since returning to Brazil?
Danilo has established himself as one of the most dependable midfielders in his homeland since joining Botafogo from Nottingham Forest last summer. Born in Salvador, the midfielder spent his formative years in Brazil and graduated from the youth division at Palmeiras. That helped him secure a move to Nottingham Forest, where he spent 30 months at the City Ground.

The Brazilian midfielder returned home nearly 12 months ago and has been solid in the middle of the park for Fogao. The player has impressed with his output, scoring ten goals and providing seven assists in 37 appearances for Botafogo, averaging 0.27 goals per game and 0.19 assists per game. Meanwhile, his exploits have piqued the attention of several well-known clubs, with Fulham among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.

Premier League return on the horizon?
Danilo has been on Fulham's wishlist for a long time, but the West London club failed with a bid last summer. The continued interest is understandable, as Andreas Pereira's departure nearly 12 months ago created a vacancy in the midfield unit at the West London club. While Alex Iwobi has stepped up in a central role, Marco Silva requires additional options in the middle of the park.

With Sasa Lukic's form fluctuating in recent months, Sander Berge requires a long-term central defensive partner to stabilise Fulham's midfield. So, the Cottagers have set their sights on the former Nottingham Forest midfielder, and they have expressed their interest in the 24-year-old. His ability to shield the defense while contributing in the final third aligns with Silva's tactical requirements.

With the Brazilian international increasingly likely to depart Botafogo after only one year, Fulham will hope to be second time lucky after failing with a bid last year. However, competition from Zenit St Petersburg means the Cottagers must move decisively to secure his signature before the transfer window closes.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/04/29/fulham-eyeing-summer-move-for-danilo/

[WhiteJC]

'Whatever was Shahid Khan thinking' – Fulham offer mocked, player now proving worth
Arthur Atta has had an impressive season for Udinese, with good form coming after a failed offer from Fulham.

In the January transfer window, Sport Witness covered the London club's interest in the Frenchman. Their offer never proved enough for Udinese, as sporting director Gianluca Nani went on to speak of the midfielder in glowing terms.

He compared Atta to Zinedine Zidane and Jude Bellingham, as the hype seemed like a classic Udinese tactic.

More recently, Everton emerged as a possible candidate for Atta. This came right after the ex-Metz player impressed in a Serie A game against Milan, who were beaten 3-0 by Udinese.

Mockery has now been aimed at Fulham and their January offer.

Atta has clearly grown
Messaggero Veneto take a deep dive into Atta's situation, starting their report with a mention of Fulham.

They don't even spare the London club's owner, saying 'whatever was Shahid Khan thinking' by offering €20m.

Udinese had 'politely declined' this and the decision is now paying off.

This is especially true after Atta grabbed a vital brace in Udinese's 3-3 draw against Lazio on Monday. He assisted and scored against Milan too, having now contributed to ten goals in all competitions.

Atta has also grown into a much more complete player. He has showcased glimpses of being able to operate deeper in midfield, where he has succeeded in controlling the tempo of games too.

The only dilemma that Udinese face is where to really use the midfielder. That itself has an upside, as Atta is worth much more than he was earlier.

Situation out of Fulham's control
Atta's growth coincides with rising interest from major Italian sides. Napoli and Inter Milan appear intrigued by the possibility of signing him and they have almost qualified for the Champions League too.

This will make Fulham's possible summer move quite difficult. Udinese would obviously prefer a sale to England as they will earn much more through that. But the player may not be keen due to what Italian sides can offer.

That's why the situation may be out of Fulham's control, unless they offer a big wage to Atta.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/whatever-was-shahid-khan-thinking-fulham-offer-mocked-player-now-proving-worth/

[WhiteJC]

It's time for Fulham to channel the spirit of Hamburg
Pack up your sun loungers - it's time to get to work.

On this day 16 years ago, Roy's boys famously came from behind at Craven Cottage to beat Hamburg and cause a tidal wave on the Thames.

Trailing 1-0 to a Mladen Petric free-kick, it looked like reaching the inaugural Europa League final might be a step too far. But all of us at the Cottage that night remember the birth of "Stand up if you still believe" - the chant reverberating round the old ground and causing everyones' hairs to stand on end.

The team were up for it - but, crucially, so were we.

I mention all this not only as the hook for this article, but also as proof that Fulham do know how to push on and create special moments in spring. And they need our help to do it.

As Jack mentioned the other week, a late-season implosion from the Whites is becoming a bit of an annual affair, but is it a self-fulfilling prophecy? Do we need to snap out of this narrative that Fulham are on the beach in April and May? Sure, it's great to be free of any relegation scraps, but it's not as if there's nothing to play for.

As it stands, four points separate Brighton in sixth and Sunderland in 12th. That is incredible. This level of table congestion is usually reserved for the opening stages of a campaign, before it inevitably "shakes out".

I have all the sides chasing Europe remaining this tight until the final day - and as you can see, I'm three for three so far in guessing Fulham results. Nostradamus indeed.

I also (with my pessimistic hat firmly on my bonce) predicted us to miss out on goal difference thanks to the final kick of the season - but that doesn't have to be the story. Marco Silva and the boys still hold the pen.

It starts at Arsenal. A win would not only take the title race out of the Gunners' hands, but it'd put a rocket under our European push. A point would be just as valuable going into Wolves away, before facing Bournemouth and Newcastle at home.

The win against Villa puts us as close as we've actually been to European qualification since we returned to the Premier League. At this stage in 2023/24 we were a full eight points off seventh, which at that stage still could have be a European spot, before Man United won the FA Cup.

And after 34 games last season, though we had three more points, we were still six off Aston Villa in seventh and were clinging onto the possibility that eighth could yield a continental spot. It never did.

This time around, there are no conditions; no complex mathematical permutations; no coefficient technicalities. We're right in the mix - and anything is possible. So, pack up the sun loungers and fold away the beach towels. The Whites have shown that they're locking in - it's vital we do the same.

Stand up if you still believe...



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p/its-time-for-fulham-to-channel-the

[WhiteJC]

Exclusive:Leeds United warned of Pascal Struijk 'risk' amid Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham links
Leeds United warned of Pascal Struijk risk amid links to Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and more

Leeds United have been warned it would be a risk to sell "captain-esque" defender Pascal Struijk.

The 26-year-old has spent the entirety of his senior career on the books at Elland Road having arrived from Ajax's academy as a teenager in 2018.

He finished his footballing education at Thorp Arch, eventually graduating from the youth set-up into the senior squad. A former Netherlands youth international, Struijk has amassed a total of 193 appearances across all competitions for the Whites.

There has recently been talk of interest from Premier League rivals, with Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham among those to have been linked.

However, former Whites winger Jermaine Pennant believes it would be a risk to part with Struijk this summer.

Jermaine Pennant's Pascal Struijk verdict
He told The Yorkshire Post: "He came from the academy, so there's a lot of profit you would get to sell him. I don't think you'd be selling him on the cheap.

"If there is a replacement who is just as good, who is a little bit cheaper, then I think that could be a good plan for business for the club. But in saying that, it's a risk.

"Players come to the Premier League who are not Premier League proven. We know that Struijk is now. We've seen it week-in, week-out, he's a very instrumental person in this Leeds team.

"He's like a captain-esque figure in that team. If you don't need to [sell], then in my eyes, you've got to keep him. But if you're struggling for PSR (profit and sustainability), then it's not a bad idea."

Competition for minutes in Leeds United's defence
Struijk saw competition for minutes at centre-back intensified last summer, when Leeds struck deals to sign Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw from Udinese and Wolfsburg respectively.

Neither of those players have made as many appearances as Struijk has this term, although Bijol has seen considerably more action than Bornauw.

Reports have indicated Leeds are desperate to retain Struijk, a player they have invested plenty into over the years. The club have nurtured him from an unproven and raw prospect into an established first-team figure.

Leeds United's fight for Premier League survival
The Whites will be less vulnerable to bids if they manage to retain their Premier League status, a feat they are incredibly close to achieving.

Regarding Leeds' survival hopes, Pennant said: "They've cemented that (safety). I think that win at Manchester United was absolutely humongous.

"I can't see the teams around them winning more than what Leeds will do in the next four or five games - especially at Elland Road as well. I think, in my eyes, 90 per cent Leeds United will be playing in the Premier League next season.

"I think that is the be-all and end-all. If they win that, they're safe. Leeds could easily go on and draw the rest of their games and be safe. The teams around them are not firing. They're going to drop points themselves.

"West Ham have got Arsenal, they're not going to get points there. If I'm in the Leeds dressing room, I'm not really worried about relegation. I really don't think they're going to [go down]. A win or draw against Burnley, I think would be good enough."



https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united-pascal-struijk-risk-aston-villa-tottenham-hotspur-fulham-8152981

[WhiteJC]

'Deemed excessive' – Fulham unlikely to pay full transfer fee for player
Last September, Fulham signed Samuel Chukwueze from AC Milan on loan with an option to buy.

The Serie A side signed the winger from Villarreal in July 2023, but he didn't get enough game time in Italy. He totalled 2,692 minutes from 70 matches in two seasons at the San Siro.

Therefore, Milan let him join Fulham on a season-long loan deal. Marco Silva has handed him 1,057 minutes from 22 matches, and Chukwueze has scored three goals and contributed four assists.

His Premier League stats this season are as follows:

    Appearances: 20
    Starts: 8
    Total minutes played: 938
    Minutes per game: 47
    Goals: 3
    Assists: 4
    Expected Goals: 2.06
    Expected Assists: 3.27
    Big chances created: 4

Last November, Sport Witness covered claims from Italy that there's belief Fulham will buy the 26-year-old in the summer.

On March 24th, Gazzetta dello Sport reported Fulham informed the Rossoneri of their desire to exercise the €24m purchase clause. The London club took this step to avoid any competition from other Premier League sides.

Fulham change stance
Fast forward to end of April and Wednesday's edition of Gazzetta dello Sport provides a new twist in this case.

The newspaper covers Samuel Chukwueze in a report focusing on those Milan players who are currently out on loan.

As of now, the Nigeria international's €24m buyout clause is 'deemed excessive' by the Premier League side.

That's probably because he has had ups and downs since moving to the English capital.

That doesn't mean Fulham have no intention of retaining him after this season. In fact, the English club want to buy him as Gazzetta points out their discussions are ongoing with Massimiliano Allegri's side.

Fulham seem to looking for a discount from Milan, but there's no mention of the fee they are willing to pay. What seems certain is that Fulham won't offer €24m for the attacker, at least if they don't have to.

Contract, value and agent info
Samuel Chukwueze's contract expires in 2028 and is valued at €15m by Transfermarkt.

His highest value was €30m in June 2019, when he was at Villarreal. The current Fulham player is represented by InterLex Sport.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/deemed-excessive-fulham-unlikely-to-pay-full-transfer-fee-for-player/

[WhiteJC]

Sam Allardyce urges Marco Silva to reject Chelsea unless BlueCo change completely
Marco Silva is among the frontrunners to take over as Chelsea manager, but Sam Allardyce has urged the Fulham manager to reject a move to Stamford Bridge.

Silva has sparkled as Fulham manager over the last five years, clocking up 225 games as Cottagers boss. He is just one win away from reaching an enormous 100 victories, having secured promotion in 2022.

The last two appointments have seen them hire a manager who had not worked previously in the Premier League. Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior made their Premier League debuts as managers at Chelsea.

As things stand, Silva is one of three managers at the top of Chelsea's list alongside Andoni Iraola and Xabi Alonso. It is believed Chelsea have scheduled talks with the former Everton and Watford manager.

Sam Allardyce urges Marco Silva to reject Chelsea move
In their bid to hire a new manager, BlueCo are going to encounter a problem. The pressure is on Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali to hire a manager with the calibre and aura that can guide Chelsea forward.

Hopefully, a lesson has been learnt with Liam Rosenior. A good coach, but he could not get his squad on side and deal with the pressure of being Chelsea manager. Any good coach will have reservations.

From afar, managers will look at what has happened at Chelsea and question two things. How quickly the board are to sack their managers, and the involvement the hierarchy has in day-to-day things at Chelsea.

Speaking on his No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Allardyce has urged Silva to reject Chelsea unless it changes at Stamford Bridge and BlueCo do not have such a large involvement on proceedings.

"He has to do his research, though. He has to ring the other managers and find out how difficult it is really with the owners. If you have that intrusive interference, it's not really a job," Allardyce said recently.

"As much as you want to take it, you have to be brave enough to say I'm better off staying at Fulham, unless Chelsea change their structure and say we have to change," the former England boss continued.

What Fulham believe will happen with Marco Silva
Currently, Silva is out of contract at the end of the season. Having paid compensation to the likes of Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Maresca and Rosenior, Chelsea might prefer to get a free agent in.

It suggests why they are pursuing Iraola, Alonso and Silva, with the latter out of contract at the end of the season. But Fulham are confident that Silva will sign a new contract at Craven Cottage before it expires.

Whether Chelsea can convince Silva before he signs on the dotted line and extends his stay at the Premier League's other West London club remains to be seen. Chelsea are not short of managerial options.



https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/news/sam-allardyce-urges-marco-silva-to-reject-chelsea-unless-blueco-change-completely/

[WhiteJC]

Chelsea blow as manager target could now replace Jose Mourinho at Benfica instead
Benfica have identified Fulham's Marco Silva as their primary target to succeed Jose Mourinho, setting up a potential tug-of-war with Chelsea for the Portuguese manager's services.

Following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior just three months into his tenure, Chelsea's hierarchy is prioritising a more patient approach for their next permanent appointment.

Calum McFarlane has been placed in interim charge for the remainder of the 2025/26 season, giving the club's sporting directors a clear window until June to vet candidates.

The goal is to avoid another short-lived project and instead find a manager with a big character and proven top-level experience to steady a restless dressing room.

The shortlist has already begun to take shape, with Andoni Iraola emerging as a frontrunner following his confirmed departure from Bournemouth. Fulham's Marco Silva and the currently unattached Xabi Alonso are also high on the list, but nothing more than that at this stage.

Marco Silva in the running for the Benfica job
Fulham manager Marco Silva has already been linked with the vacant managerial job at Chelsea, but the London club expects him to sign a new contract.

And it seems as if it wouldn't be straightforward for Chelsea, regardless, as Benfica want Marco Silva to replace Jose Mourinho, who has been linked with Real Madrid (Record).

Of course, the links between Jose Mourinho and Chelsea have been there too, but a return to Stamford Bridge won't happen given the Blues' current situation.

Marco Silva lacks the top level experience
Marco Silva's inclusion on Chelsea's managerial shortlist has sparked a debate regarding whether he possesses the top-level pedigree required for Stamford Bridge.

He has been praised for stabilising Fulham and implementing an attractive style of play, but his critics argue that his resume lacks experience at a big six club. His previous stints at Everton, Watford, and Hull City all ended prematurely, often under a cloud of inconsistency or mid-season slumps.

Unlike fellow candidates like Xabi Alonso, he has yet to manage a squad competing for major European honors or the Premier League title. Though he won trophies in Portugal and Greece earlier in his career, the pressure of a Chelsea rebuild is a different beast entirely.



https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/news/chelsea-blow-as-manager-target-could-now-replace-jose-mourinho-at-benfica-instead/