Friday Fulham Stuff - 15/05/26...

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The dazzling Brazilian wonderkid set to spark fierce Tottenham and Fulham transfer battle
Spurs & Fulham are both alleged to be interested in a dazzling young Brazilian with a gift for dribbling - but who will win the race when the transfer window opens?

While Tottenham Hotspur may not yet know which division they'll be playing in next season, their scouts have still been busy – and they seem to have spent some time in South America watching a gifted young winger who's creating plenty of excitement in the Brazilian top flight.

They aren't alone. Reports suggest that both Spurs and Fulham are keen on Coritiba winger Lucas Ronier, a 21-year-old whose dazzling dribbling displays have also attracted interest from Saudi Arabia – but just how good is Lucas Ronier, and what will it take to bring him to Europe this summer?

Lucas Ronier – the fleet-footed Brazilian wanted by Spurs & Fulham
Lucas Ronier is already in his third season as a regular starter for Coritiba but the 2026 Brasileirão campaign is his first in the top flight – his seven goals in all competitions last year helped to earn his team promotion as Série B champions, and now he's getting to showcase his skills on a bigger stage.

The jump up has hurt his end product somewhat – in 15 league games so far he's managed two assists and just one goal – but his lightning-fast feet have impressed nonetheless. The youngster has a gift for dribbling which will inevitably earn him a big move sooner or later.

A naturally left-footed winger who typically looks to come inside from the right but who is also comfortable on his weaker foot, Lucas Ronier's standout trait is undoubtedly his ball control and his breathtakingly fast feet. A superb ball-carrier who can turn defenders inside out and who is just as comfortable cutting in as he is speeding round full-backs on the outside, he's already proven to be a severe headache for defenders in Brazil's top tier.

Short at around 5'5", he knows how to use his low centre of gravity to turn quickly, often in a flurry of stepovers that can dazzle defenders – and draw a considerable number of fouls.

He's also a very willing runner and effective in a high press, forcing an encouraging number of high turnovers and making a consistent nuisance of himself off the ball – while his work rate in training has also drawn praise in Brazil.

His end product needs to be polished and both his finishing and final ball need to improve before he'd be ready for the Premier League, but his preternatural technique seems to have attracted Spurs and Fulham's interest nonetheless. According to Sport Witness, both sides are monitoring the winger's progress ahead of potential bids.

Lucas Ronier would likely start life in England as a developmental prospect rather than an immediate starter, but he has the raw skillset and physical traits to thrive – but will either side make a move when the transfer window opens?

Will Spurs or Fulham bid for Lucas Ronier this summer?
Sport Witness' report stops short of suggesting that negotiations are inevitable, but if either Spurs or Fulham do want to make a move they may be compelled to do it soon – they aren't the only teams keen on Lucas Ronier.

Saudi Pro League side Neom allegedly saw a bid of £9.4m rejected in 2024 and he continues to be a subject of interest – likely with a rather higher price tag this time around. The player himself was said to be more interested in a move to Europe, however, which could give his Premier League suitors an edge.

All we can say with confidence is that any bid for Lucas Ronier would have to exceed eight figures, although the price may not spiral to unaffordable levels – the player has just 18 months left on his contract, which will encourage Coritiba to listen to offers sooner rather than later.

His club's form may also be a factor. After a strong start (which included a 2-0 win away to Corinthians in which Lucas Ronier scored) Coritiba have struggled in recent weeks, picking up just one win in their last nine matches. They are in mid-table as it stands, but should they be sliding towards the relegation zone by the time the transfer window opens, they may be incentivised to work hard to keep hold of perhaps their most naturally gifted player.

It's not clear just how big the battle for Lucas Ronier's signature might be – whether Spurs and Fulham will have a clear path to a deal, or whether other sides will be in the mix as well. Certainly, with his talent, it's hard to imagine that other European sides haven't been paying attention too. If he does move to the Premier League this summer, it should be fun to watch.



https://www.3addedminutes.com/sport/football/tottenham-hotspur/brazilian-wonderkid-transfer-battle-tottenham-fulham-8543764

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Fulham in transfer tussle to sign Hwang Hee-chan
Fulham will reportedly look to sign 30-year-old Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Hwang Hee-chan this summer.

A report by Sports Boom has revealed that Hwang Hee-chan is the subject of interest from Fulham. The Cottagers are keen on reinforcing their offensive unit by signing a versatile attacker in the upcoming transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding Raul Jimenez's long-term future and have set their sights on the 30-year-old Wolverhampton Wanderers forward.

Fulham will not be alone in the battle for the experienced attacker's signature, as Brentford, Lazio, and German clubs are also interested in him. Wolverhampton Wanderers are ready to sell Hwang, as he is one of their top earners, pocketing £70,000-a-week wages. Additionally, the player is ready to jump ship after the Black Country outfit's relegation from the Premier League.

Hwang Hee-chan and his Premier League journey so far
Hwang Hee-chan has endured a topsy-turvy ride since joining Wolverhampton Wanderers from RB Leipzig. The Black Country outfit initially signed him on loan in July 2021 before completing a permanent move 12 months later. The 30-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance in the last five seasons, but he has been in and out of the starting lineup in recent campaigns.

The South Korean international has managed only 1,592 minutes of game time in 29 appearances across all competitions, chipping in with three goals and three assists. Despite Hwang's reduced game time and inconsistent performances, his stock remains high, with Fulham among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.

London calling?
Fulham's interest in Hwang Hee-chan makes sense. The Cottagers are in a spot of bother over Raul Jimenez's long-term future, as the veteran striker has entered the final two months of his contract. While they reportedly want to tie the Mexican international to a new deal, they must keep their options open.

Meanwhile, Jimenez's situation has stimulated the interest of several clubs, including Everton. Even if the 35-year-old remains at Craven Cottage, his advancing age should compel Fulham to seek an alternative from the market, as Rodrigo Muniz has struggled with fitness issues in the last 18 months.

Matching Hwang's current £70,000-a-week wages should pose no problems for Fulham. Additionally, with Wolverhampton Wanderers hoping to recoup around £13 million from the sale of the 30-year-old South Korean attacker, the operation should be cost-effective for the West London outfit. However, amid stiff competition for the player's signature, the Cottagers need to move quickly to wrap up a summer deal.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/05/14/fulham-in-transfer-tussle-to-sign-hwang-hee-chan/

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Fulham rival Crystal Palace, West Ham United in Pape Moussa Fall race
Fulham will reportedly compete with Crystal Palace and West Ham United in the race to sign Pape Moussa Fall.

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Pape Moussa Fall is the subject of interest from Fulham. The Cottagers are keen on reinforcing their offensive unit by signing a striker in the summer transfer window. However, they will face stiff competition from fellow London clubs Crystal Palace and West Ham United for the 21-year-old centre-forward.

Who is Pape Moussa Fall?
Pape Moussa Fall is the latest promising prospect from his homeland to rise in prominence. Born in Pikine, the 21-year-old spent his formative years in Senegal and graduated from the youth division at Generation Foot. However, the player has been searching for stability since moving to Europe, moving from RFC Seraing to FC Metz before spending this season on loan with La Louviere.

The Senegalese striker has been impressive during his loan stint in Belgium, scoring 14 goals and providing one assist in 30 appearances across all competitions. Meanwhile, his progress has provoked the interest of several well-known clubs, with Fulham, Crystal Palace, and West Ham United among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.

London calling?
Fulham will dip into the market for a striker this summer, as they are concerned about Raul Jimenez's long-term future. The Mexican striker has entered the final two months of his contract, and the situation has alerted several clubs, including Everton. Even if Jimenez remains at Craven Cottage, Fulham must plan for life after the veteran striker, who is in the twilight of his career.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace's interest in Pape Moussa Fall makes sense. While the Eagles have two strikers after signing Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this year, Jean-Philippe Mateta will likely depart from Selhurst Park this summer. So, the 21-year-old has emerged as a viable target for Palace.

As for West Ham, it is surprising that they are considering signing another striker this summer after landing Pablo and Valentin Castellanos earlier this year. Additionally, Nuno Espirito Santo has Callum Wilson in his squad. So, unless the Hammers offload at least one striker, it is unclear why they would pursue Moussa Fall.

Apart from Fulham, Crystal Palace, and West Ham United, Brentford will also pursue the Senegalese striker in the coming months. However, Palace and West Ham are the front-runners for his signature, although they face stiff competition from other clubs, including LOSC Lille, Lorient, FSV Mainz, VfB Stuttgart, Club Brugge, and RSC Anderlecht.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/05/14/fulham-rival-crystal-palace-west-ham-united-in-pape-moussa-fall-race/

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Wolves Express | Bellegarde and Mosquera preview Fulham
With Wolves preparing for their final two matches of the 2025/26 Premier League season, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Yerson Mosquera look ahead to this weekend's clash with Fulham at Molineux.

Bellegarde is up first as the midfielder shares his frustrations at the recent defeats but how the players are determined to bounce back at Molineux on Sunday to give the fans something to smile about ahead of the summer.

Mosuqera also features on the podcast as he gives an optimistic view on the Old Gold's future, with the defender sharing his thoughts on how he's confident the club will bounce back to the Premier League at the earliest opportunity and why not finishing bottom of the top flight table needs to be the team's aim in these final two matches.

There is also a reminder that the full recording of Tuesday night's Fan Forum at Molineux - featuring executive chairman Nathan Shi, head coach Rob Edwards and technical director Matt Jackson - is now available to listen to on BBC Sounds.



https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/club/20260514-wolves-express-bellegarde-and-mosquera-preview-fulham/

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From Portugal: What Fulham have offered Marco Silva – Another PL club also make offer
Fulham are now actively trying to stop Marco Silva from leaving this summer. Portuguese reports claim the manager already has a major renewal offer on the table while Benfica continue to wait in the background.

Silva's future has become one of the noisier managerial situations involving a Premier League club over recent weeks. Benfica's interest is well established by now, especially with uncertainty continuing around José Mourinho in Lisbon.

However, the latest update from Portuguese newspaper Record adds an important new layer to the story.

Fulham pushing to keep Silva
According to the report, Fulham have offered Silva a new four-year contract as they try to convince him to continue at Craven Cottage beyond this season.

Until now, much of the Portuguese coverage had leaned heavily towards Silva preparing to end his five-year cycle at Fulham. This latest report presents a more open picture, with the manager still weighing up his options rather than already heading for the exit door.

Of course, Silva has stabilised the club in the Premier League and built one of the division's more competitive mid-table sides. Even during difficult periods, Fulham have largely avoided serious relegation trouble under him while maintaining a clear tactical identity.

Losing him now would create a major problem just as the summer transfer window approaches.

That likely explains the scale of the reported proposal. A four-year contract would represent a serious commitment from Fulham and suggest the club still see Silva as central to their long-term project.

Another English club enters picture
There is another detail in the Record report which could complicate Fulham's efforts.

The newspaper claims Silva also has a proposal from another English club, although no name is mentioned. British coverage says Chelsea is one of the clubs interested in him, but it is only speculation for now.

That changes the feel of the situation slightly. Until now, the discussion had mostly centred around whether Silva would stay at Fulham or return to Portugal with Benfica.

If another Premier League side – or even a major English club outside the division's current top contenders – is genuinely involved, the market around Silva could become far more competitive.

Benfica still waiting
Benfica, meanwhile, continue monitoring developments carefully. Silva remains one of the profiles most appreciated internally at the Portuguese club because of his Premier League experience, knowledge of Portuguese football, and previous spell at Sporting before his move to England.

Still, much depends on Mourinho's future. For now, the situation appears to be exactly what Record's headline suggests: Marco Silva is still deciding.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/from-portugal-what-fulham-have-offered-marco-silva-another-pl-club-also-make-offer/

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Fulham target admits he's given agent transfer instructions – Recent drama 'a rollercoaster of emotions'
Fulham target Ricardo Pepi has admitted he's blocked transfer talk until after the World Cup following the roller coaster of emotions earlier this year.

Voetbal Nieuws report comments from the PSV Eindhoven star today made in an interview with ESPN Netherlands.

Transfer offers ignored
Voetbal Nieuws report comments from the PSV Eindhoven star today made in an interview with ESPN Netherlands.
Transfer offers ignored

Marco Silva's side returned after the window had closed and a deal was close to being done with PSV Eindhoven. Ricardo Pepi even travelled to Craven Cottage for a medical.

The deal didn't end up going through, though, as Fulham and PSV couldn't agree on certain transfer terms. That, reportedly, left Pepi extremely disappointed. Now he doesn't want to discuss a move in the near future.

"Being so close to a transfer that doesn't go through is a rollercoaster of emotions. It is about staying stable and maintaining balance in your life," he said.

"To be honest, I always try to focus on what comes next. I have one more game to go here and hopefully I'll get a chance at the World Cup.

"I'm not concerned with everything that happens before that. I'm just very focused on finishing the season strong. I look forward to getting the chance."

Fulham need to wait
Since the Fulham deal collapsed, the striker has made an agreement with his agent not to discuss a possible transfer for the time being. That might change if he shines at the World Cup.

"Yes, 100%, 100%," he added about ignoring offers.

"Then that might change a bit, of course, but I still tell him: at the end of the World Cup, at the end of the season, we will have the right time to talk about these kinds of things. Just let me focus and let me finish the season strong."

It seems, then, that Fulham will have to wait if they wish to revive their efforts. Even then, Pepi might keep them at arm's length until he's ready to discuss the matter again.

https://x.com/Sport_Witness/status/2054128119800295787



https://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-target-admits-hes-given-agent-transfer-instructions-recent-drama-a-rollercoaster-of-emotions/

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Lukić: We're going to fight
Saša Lukić is hoping to finish an "up and down" season for Fulham on a high, with a trip to Wolves coming up on Sunday.

"My whole season has been up and down," the midfielder admitted. "I had two injuries that set me back.

"These injuries did slow down my progress, but all in all I'm pretty happy with the season. In the last two games, I'm going to try and improve the picture for the whole season.

"Every game is important for me, and these two games are going to be the most important."

The Whites have been pushing for European places throughout the campaign and, despite defeat to Bournemouth last weekend, can still finish as high as seventh in the Premier League.

"As a team, we've had a very good season. The Bournemouth match set us back but we need to fight until the end and reach our goal if we can.

"(Wolves) will be a very difficult game. They've been relegated but don't have anything to lose, so they're going to be relaxed. We've prepared for this game to win - three points are very important.

"There are two games left and as long as there's a chance, we're going to fight."

So does Saša Lukić still believe Fulham can achieve European football this season?

"Yes, of course."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/may/14/lukic-going-to-fight/