Thursday Fulham Stuff - 25/06/26...

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Ex-Fulham academy defender and towering forward are given chances to earn deals with Caley Thistle
Former Inverness winger Daniel Mackay is also in the frame for a contract as manager Scott Kellacher details his transfer plans for his Championship returners.

Caley Thistle will continue to run the rule over three trialists as manager Scott Kellacher revealed the key areas he wants to strengthen.
The League One champions are preparing to return to the Championship for the first time in three years and the boss has signed four players so far.

Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie, Livingston winger Liam Sole and left-back Nou Boutin, who has just left Bournemouth, all signed permanent deals with Inverness.

Swansea City forward Morgan Bates, 19, also joined Inverness on a season-long loan this week, but there are more targets in mind.

Former Caley Jags winger Daniel Mackay, 6ft 6in former QPR and Maidstone forward Hamzad Kargbo, 24, and Fulham defender Joe Walters, 17, all played as trialists in Tuesday night's 3-1 pre-season win at Breedon Highland League hosts Nairn County.

Kargbo scored the first ICT goal, with Paul Allan and Luis Longstaff also on the scoresheet ahead of this weekend's game at Clachnacuddin.

Inverness-born Mackay, 25, who came through the youth system at ICT, has twice played for his hometown side, proving to be a regular game-changer and scorer.

His past two seasons have been with Championship club Partick Thistle, who finished as runners-up to St Johnstone and were Premiership play-off finalists last month.

Striker Hamzad Kargbo 'offers something different'
Sidelined by a series of injuries, Mackay's last competitive game was in July 2024, but – as he recently told The Press and Journal – he's been fit and available for several months and he's in the running for a potential contract offer if all goes to plan.

Kellacher said: "I knew Dan has had a few tough years. I asked him to come in and see how he gets on over the next while and we will take it from there.

"Listen, we all know what Dan can offer.

"He's been fit for a while, and it was tough for him to get into that Partick Thistle team towards the end of the season because they had their flow of the team.

"It's good to have him in. We don't want to push him too hard.

"We're looking at another couple of trialists as well as Dan.

"There was something about the big man (Hamzad Kargbo). He offers something different in that he can hold the ball in, and he took his goal well at Nairn.

"He could have had a few more, but that's what happens when it's your first game and you haven't played in a while.

"You start off a bit rusty, but you soon get the legs moving, so we will see how he gets on over the next week to 10 days.

"We've brought a young boy in from Fulham (Joe Walters).

"He's only been in for a couple of days, but he's been great.

"It's not easy to come in and get used to playing with players you've never played with.

"We will probably have a few more (trialists) coming in as well as the targets we're looking at."

Versatile defender is on Kellacher's five-man wanted list
Kellacher confirmed exactly what he's after as he continues to zone in on targets, while assessing trialists, with more to follow.

He said: "We've still got our targets. I'm trying to be a bit more patient this year.

"It's not easy because I like to get my business done early.

"We've four or five to bring in.

"We're looking at more strikers, more wingers and probably another defender, ideally someone who can play in a couple of positions.

"The example would be Mitch Robertson, who we had (initially on loan from Celtic). He could play centre-back for cover as well as full-back.

"Our back four is solid enough, but we just need to add to it. We need to have places up for grabs."

Towering forward Kargbo emerged from the QPR academy and has also played for Southend United, Oxford City, Newport County, Chippenham and Maidstone.

Right-sided defender Walters is a free agent after leaving Fulham, having come through the academy at the London club.

Both players are expected to feature against Clach at Grant Street on Saturday as they aim to impress Kellacher.

Alonge deal offer 'isn't going to be there forever'
Kellacher, meanwhile, said attacker Jordan Alonge must make up his mind soon as the former Rothes and Forres Mechanics player considers a contract offer.

The 27-year-old played 42 times for Inverness in his debut campaign for the club, starting 21 times and scoring eight goals.

The manager said: "Jordan has been offered a new contract, but he's taking his time to think about it.

"I explained to him last week that the deal isn't going to be there forever.

"Jordan played a real part last season, so we will see how it plays out over the next week."



https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/sport/football/inverness-caledonian-thistle/7046330/inverness-caledonian-thistle-transfer-update-june-24/

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Fulham transfer now hanging in the balance – Discount now likely
Samuel Chukwueze had an inconsistent loan spell at Fulham during the 2025/26 campaign. There is still a chance of him returning to the London club.

The winger could have ended up at the London club in January 2025. A deal didn't go through then but an initial loan deal was agree in the summer, and AC Milan agreed to insert an option to buy in the agreement.

He scored three times and added four assists for Fulham. Those contributions came in a patch and the Nigerian only showed glimpses of his talent.

Sport Witness have covered how the stance over a permanent deal was negative. Now, there could still be some hope.

Amorim holds the key
Gazzetta dello Sport report Milan can move on from a host of players in the summer. Several have returned from loans and Chukwueze is the 'most intriguing name' in this regard.

He wasn't a part of Max Allegri's plans but that can change under Ruben Amorim.

The newspaper explain Chukwueze can suit the Portuguese's 3-4-2-1 system. It is believed there is room to give him a shot but this doesn't mean a return to Fulham is ruled out.

Milan are now happy to consider a discount from the €24m clause, which will help Fulham secure a favourable deal.

Low risk deal makes sense
Nothing is decided yet and the media are exploring options for the 27-year-old.

If a move for Fulham is still possible, they should only seek a low-risk option. A big fee for a permanent deal won't make sense, considering how last season went.

Milan, at their end, may not favour a loan unless there is a conditional obligation to buy.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-transfer-now-hanging-in-the-balance-discount-now-likely/

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The Arbeloa project marks the dawn of a new era at Fulham
The move to bring in the ex-Madrid boss shows the board is preparing for a bold new chapter.

I'm really starting to like this move.

It looks like Alvaro Arbeloa will be unveiled as our new boss this week - maybe as early as today.

And it's increasingly looking like a shrewd move by the Khans.

Much of the fan discourse since the reports first emerged have centred on his lack of experience and turbulent five-month spell in charge of a dysfunctional Real Madrid first team squad. But a tweet from Spanish football expert Guillem Balague on Wednesday has shed more light on the appointment and is forcing a shift in perspective.

Balague says Arbeloa has clearly laid out his vision for Fulham. And within that there are some interesting points to dissect.

First, Arbeloa wants to continue our recent shift in transfer strategy, and "put greater emphasis on young talent with development and resale value". Matt Littlejohn set out earlier this year why this is so vital in the era of SCR.

And what will be music to all our ears, the incoming manager wants to "create a clearer pathway from the academy to the first team". It's the biggest stick to beat Marco Silva with. He favoured more established players. Yes, there are a couple of academy grad success stories - Fabio Carvalho and Josh King - but with our category A academy and success in the PL2, there should be a conveyor belt of talent coming through. The reason there hasn't been is that there's no pathway.

The immediate beneficiary of this must be Luc de Fougerolles. Adam Farquharson spoke this week about how he's becoming impossible to ignore in SW6, such are his performances for Canada. I don't want to start re-writing history, but I'm not sure he comes back after the World Cup as a Fulham first-team member if Marco's still here. Under Arbeloa it's all up for grabs.

What's really interesting for me is Balague urging us not to judge Arbeloa on his ill-fated stint at the Bernabeu - and that it "was a situation in which he had to be 'the manager he had to be'". We all followed the in-fighting and the battle of the egos during Arbeloa's tenure. But he came into a near-impossible situation. A square peg in a round hole - and he had to change his own shape to fit.

So, instead when mentioning his Madrid pedigree, focus on his time with the Castilla. And I don't know about you, but this gets my juices going.

Possession, high pressing, intensity and the desire to dominate games. Flexibility when required, but with one non-negotiable principle: aggressive pressing without the ball.

And then finally there's all the managers who have influenced Arbeloa's style and philosophy. You can't argue with that list: Benitez, Mourinho, Pellegrini, Ancelotti, Del Bosque. That's quite the forest of learning trees.

I've kept my powder dry until now when it comes to the Arbeloa reports. But I'm not afraid to say that I'm all in.

Let's get this new era started and shift our perspectives. Let's look up, puff out our chests and back our new manager - and hope the board will do the same.

It certainly looks like they're buying in.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p/the-arbeloa-project-marks-the-dawn

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Leeds agree contract with Fulham forward Wilson
Leeds have agreed a four-year contract with Fulham attacker Harry Wilson to become their first signing of the summer on a free transfer.

The 29-year-old Wales international is out of contract next week, although the move remains subject to a medical and the formal signing of terms in the coming days.

It would represent a major coup for the Yorkshire club if completed. They faced competition from Premier League rivals for his signature.

Wilson has been a long-term target for Leeds, who attempted to sign him on deadline day last summer before the move collapsed.

His departure would be a significant blow to Fulham, who offered their player of the season several contracts in an attempt to keep him.

He registered 11 goals and eight assists in 38 appearances in all competitions last season - an average of one goal involvement every other game.

Wilson joined Fulham in 2021 for £12m from Liverpool.

The Cottagers remain without a manager following the departure of Marco Silva to Benfica, but are in advanced talks to appoint former Liverpool defender and Real Madrid interim boss Alvaro Arbeloa.

Meanwhile, Leeds remain in pursuit of former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt.

The 30-year-old is available on a free transfer but is attracting interest from Champions League clubs.

Southampton's Shea Charles is also still on the club's radar. The Saints reportedly turned down an initial approach of £20m from Leeds for the 22-year-old Northern Ireland midfielder.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c892dk5dnz8o

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Fulham hopes over Harry Wilson stay dashed as Leeds deal agreed
Wales winger snubs Craven Cottage contract offer to move to Elland Road, a year on from Deadline Day drama

Leeds have reached an agreement to sign Harry Wilson, ending Fulham's hopes over a new contract.

Standard Sport understands the Wales winger will sign a long-term deal at Elland Road after rejecting a proposal to remain in west London.

Fulham had been keen to keep hold of Wilson, who was voted as the club's player of the season earlier this month, and had offered him an extension to his expiring contract.

However, the 29-year-old has decided to join Leeds when that Fulham deal expires on June 30 and will undergo a medical.

Wilson initially came close to joining Leeds on Deadline Day last summer, before Fulham pulled out of negotiations at the 11th hour after failing to secure a move for then-Chelsea winger Tyrique George.

He went on to enjoy a stellar campaign at Craven Cottage, scoring 11 goals and providing eight assists across all competitions. Wilson was the subject of interest from a number of clubs including Aston Villa and Everton.

It is unclear whether the departure of manager Marco Silva, who brought Wilson to the club in a £12million transfer back in 2021, was a factor in the former Liverpool man's decision to leave Fulham.

But Standard Sport understands that the uncertainty around who will replace Silva is having an impact on players' futures heading into next season.

Former Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa is reportedly close to joining Fulham, but sources insist that there are still two contenders in the running to take over from Silva, who has gone to Benfica to replace Jose Mourinho following the latter's sensational return to the Bernabeu.

Wilson enjoyed his most productive season in a Fulham shirt last term, with Silva stating in January that the club had to do all they could to tie him down to a new contract.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/harry-wilson-leeds-transfer-news-fulham-fc-b1287416.html

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Fulham set to let Luke Harris re-join Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers have reportedly contacted Fulham over a potential move to re-sign midfielder Luke Harris.

 The 21-year-old, who played 19 times and scored twice for the Chairboys while on loan from the Whites during the second half of the 2025/26 season, is set to depart West London.

According to reports, discussions are ongoing between the two clubs, although no agreement has yet been reached on personal terms.

 Harris, who previously impressed during a loan spell at Adams Park, remains a player highly regarded by the club's coaching staff, starting 15 of his 19 outings for the Adams Park side.

Prior to his move to Buckinghamshire in January, the midfielder spent the first-half of the campaign at Wycombe's M40 neighbours in Oxford United, scoring in 17 games in all competitions.

He has also had stints at Birmingham City, helping the Blues win promotion to the Championship in 2025, and Exeter City.

 If he were to join, he will be the club's first outfield signing, following the arrivals of goalkeepers in Connor Hazard and Matt Macey respectively.

It has also been revealed that shot-stopper Will Norris is expected to leave Wanderers for Salford City.

It was revealed that discussions between the two parties were taking place, with the 32-year-old seeming to reject a contract offer to remain at Adams Park in favour of a new challenge.

Transfer expert Pete O'Rourke confirmed the news on June 24, with Norris' departure to be announced in due course.

The 32-year-old has kept 22 clean sheets in 59 matches for the Chairboys but has made several high-profile errors.



https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/sport/26225181.fulham-set-let-luke-harris-re-join-wycombe-wanderers/

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Next Fulham manager: Alvaro Arbeloa update provided by Guillem Balague as Cottagers look to announce Marco Silva successor
Fulham are allegedly closing in on the appointment of Alvaro Arbeloa as their new manager.

The Cottagers have been in the market for a successor to Marco Silva, who was out of contract and has joined Benfica, for some time.

Kieran McKenna had been heavily linked with a switch to Craven Cottage before he resigned from Ipswich Town and opted to take a break from the dugout.

Since then, Arbeloa, who was Real Madrid manager during the second half of last season, has been viewed as the favourite for the position with the West Londoners.

As per Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, the former Liverpool defender is nearing the completion of a move to Fulham.

Balague speaks on Arbeloa, Fulham move
Posting on X, Balague suggested that Arbeloa is eager to lead a long-term project at the club, while claiming that supporters should not be overly judgmental when it comes to his time at Real Madrid.

He said: "Fulham and Alvaro Arbeloa are very close to reaching an agreement. It should be announced soon. My understanding is that Arbeloa has laid out the kind of project he wants.

"He is not looking for a short-term survival mission. He wants to rejuvenate the squad, add two or three players capable of raising the level immediately, put greater emphasis on young talent with development and resale value, and, to find some of that talented youth, create a clearer pathway from the academy to the first team. He has also outlined the staff he would like to bring with him.

"As for the football, don't judge him on what happened with Real Madrid's first team. By his own admission, that was a situation in which he had to be "the manager he had to be". His Castilla side had a very clear identity: possession, high pressing, intensity and the desire to dominate games. Flexibility when required, but with one non-negotiable principle: aggressive pressing without the ball.

"This is not a coach who wants his team sitting deep and defending its own box."

Why Fulham need Arbeloa in place as soon as possible
Not only did Fulham experience a near-miss when it came to qualifying for Europe for 2026-27, they will also see Harry Wilson sign for Leeds United.

With Raul Jimenez having joined Wolverhampton Wanderers and a general lack of quality squad-depth, Fulham need Arbeloa in place as soon as they can.

As Balague alluded to, Arbeloa may only make up to three additions, but they are expected to be players who can make an immediate impact in the first team.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/news/next-fulham-manager-update-provided-as-arbeloa-lays-out-plan-to-cottagers-chiefs_599972.html

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Tottenham and Fulham interest comes at crucial stage – Club keen to protect negotiating position
Tottenham and Fulham are both keeping tabs on Coritiba's Lucas Ronier at a significant moment in the winger's career.

We revealed a while ago that the two Premier League clubs are among those monitoring the winger's situation.

Now fresh reporting from Um Dois Esportes explains why the coming months could be particularly important.

The Brazilian side is already starting to think about how long they can realistically keep hold of one of their most valuable assets.

Club do not want risks
Despite Ronier being under contract until December 2027, Coritiba have already begun paying close attention to his future.

The Brazilian club see the next European transfer window as especially significant. This is because it represents the final major summer market before the 21-year-old enters the last year of his deal.

Coritiba insist they have not received any official proposals. However, they are keen to avoid finding themselves in a weaker negotiating position further down the line.

The concern is understandable. Internally, Ronier and goalkeeper Pedro Morisco are viewed as two of the club's most valuable assets. This is both because of their current importance to the first team and their potential resale value.

Recent reports in Brazil have also linked Flamengo with Ronier. This underlines that interest in the winger is growing beyond the Premier League clubs currently monitoring him.

Coritiba avoiding drama again
The report explains that Coritiba are using the recent case of right-back Natanael as a reference point.

The defender approached the final stages of his contract before eventually joining Atlético Mineiro. As a result, Coritiba were left with very limited leverage during negotiations. Club officials are understood to be determined to avoid a similar scenario developing with Ronier.

That does not mean a sale is imminent. However, it does mean discussions around a renewal, improved terms or a future transfer are becoming increasingly relevant internally.

Coritiba also have previous experience of difficult negotiations with the winger. Before signing his current contract through to 2027, discussions over an extension became complicated during 2024. During that period, the player was temporarily removed from matchday plans before an agreement was eventually reached.

That episode was ultimately resolved, but it serves as another reminder of why the club are already thinking ahead despite having more than 18 months remaining on his current deal.

Europe remains the objective
One detail likely to attract attention from Tottenham and Fulham is the reminder of what happened in 2024.

Saudi side Neom made an offer worth £8.8m (€10.3m). Coritiba were prepared to proceed with the deal, but Ronier turned down the move. Instead, his preference was to continue pursuing an opportunity in one of Europe's major leagues.

Seems like that stance has not changed and helps explain why clubs from England continue to keep track of his development.

The report also notes that Ronier is represented by André Cury. He is one of Brazil's most influential agents and a figure with longstanding connections across European football.

But for now, Tottenham and Fulham remain in the monitoring phase. Coritiba, meanwhile, are trying to ensure that whenever the next serious offer arrives, they are negotiating from a position of strength rather than necessity.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/tottenham-and-fulham-interest-comes-at-crucial-stage-club-keen-to-protect-negotiating-position/

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Fulham still pushing to sign Super Eagles CB as Trabzonspor refuse to lower valuation
Fulham have stepped up their pursuit of Super Eagles centre-back Chibuike Nwaiwu, with the Premier League side now pushing their offer beyond €20 million in an escalating transfer tussle with Turkish club Trabzonspor, according to 61 saat.

The Turkish side have already shut the door on Fulham's improved proposal, standing firm on their valuation of the highly rated defender.

The latest bid from Fulham was rejected outright due to a significant gap in valuation between both clubs.

Nwaiwu's rising profile has turned him into one of the standout names in the transfer market, with Fulham believed to be testing Trabzonspor's resolve ahead of a long negotiation window.

Despite rejecting the current offer, Trabzonspor are not closing the door completely on future discussions.

Instead, they are preparing for a prolonged negotiation battle, with Fulham expected to return with improved terms as the window progresses.

The situation places both clubs in a strategic standoff: Fulham eager to strengthen their defensive options with a long-term signing, and Trabzonspor determined to maximise the value of one of their prized assets.

Nwaiwu joined Trabzonspor during the January transfer window and made an immediate impact, scoring three goals in 16 appearances in the Turkish Süper Lig during the second half of last season.

Wale Adejumo




https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/fulham-still-pushing-to-sign-super-eagles-cb-as-trabzonspor-refuse-to-lower-valuation