Sunday Fulham Stuff - 19/07/26...

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Alvaro Arbeloa pushing Fulham to sign Cesar Palacios
Alvaro Arbeloa wants Fulham to sign 21-year-old Spanish playmaker Cesar Palacios from Real Madrid this summer.

According to a report by the Daily Mail, Cesar Palacios is the subject of interest from Fulham. The Cottagers are keen on reinforcing their offensive unit by signing a versatile playmaker in the ongoing transfer window, and they have set their sights on the 21-year-old Real Madrid attacker.

Alvaro Arbeloa is the driving force behind Fulham's move for the Spaniard, having overseen his progress during his spell in Real Madrid's youth and reserve setups. Per the Daily Mail, the Spanish giants are open to sanctioning Palacios's loan exit in the coming weeks, giving Fulham the opportunity to secure his services.

Who is Cesar Palacios?
Cesar Palacios is the latest promising prospect to emerge from Real Madrid's fabled La Fabrica setup. Born in Soria, the 21-year-old began his youth career with Numancia, spending a decade with the club before joining Los Blancos in July 2020. Since then, the youngster has risen through the ranks at Real Madrid, establishing himself as a regular for the reserve side.

The Spanish playmaker has made 77 appearances for Real Madrid Castilla thus far, and he was impressive in the 2025/26 season, amassing 16 goals and five assists in 37 outings for the reserve side. Palacios also made his senior bow for Real Madrid, and he appeared in seven games for Los Blancos. However, regular game time with the first-team squad is unlikely in the upcoming campaign, and a loan exit will benefit him.

What next?
A move to the Premier League may be on the cards, with Alvaro Arbeloa ready to reunite with several Real Madrid prospects he coached during his stint with the club. Recent reports have also linked the West London club with Manuel Angel, and other prodigies may also find their way to Craven Cottage in the coming weeks.

As for the interest in Palacios, Fulham must address the attacking issues in the squad, having seen Harry Wilson depart as a free agent. Several candidates, including Martial Godo, have thus emerged on the Premier League club's wishlist.

However, a versatile playmaker like Palacios is also an appealing target, as his ability to fill multiple roles provides tactical flexibility to the manager. Fulham must wait on further updates from Madrid, but the move offers a timely chance for Arbeloa to bolster his attacking ranks with a proven prospect from La Fabrica.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/07/18/alvaro-arbeloa-pushing-fulham-to-sign-cesar-palacios/

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Fulham target finds himself in serious drama – Disappearance leads to panic
Fulham target Christ Inao Oulai has found himself in the middle of a scary story on his return to Trabzonspor this week.

KAFA Sports provide the details today regarding the eye-opening experience for the 20-year-old this week.

Trabzonspor drama
The outlet explains that Trabzonspor officials were supposed to greet Christ Inao Oulai as he arrived at the airport. He was returning to Türkiye from Côte d'Ivoire. That is where things went awry.

According to their information 'some individuals', posing as Trabzonspor staff, met the player and his father instead, putting them into their own vehicle.

Trabzonspor quickly investigated the situation after being unable to reach the player after a certain amount of time. Contact was eventually established with the player, and Trabzonspor executives then retrieved the midfielder.

It was, fortunately, a positive ending to what could have been a very different scenario if things hadn't been resolved quickly by Trabzonspor officials. The question is whether it affects his future at the Turkish club.

Fulham interest
He's already been linked with a move away from the Super Lig side this summer. Fulham are at the front of the queue for his signature at this moment in time.

Sport Witness covered a report yesterday explaining how they had increased their offer for the midfielder in an attempt to get closer to Trabzonspor's demands. That came after Chelsea offered 200% more than their transfer rivals in the January transfer window.

Oulai, for his part, is reportedly happy at the Turkish club. But he is open to playing in the Premier League if it is offered to him. Fulham just need to get closer to Trabzonspor's s €30m demands if they want to make a deal happen.

After this particular incident, which not only affected him but his father too, perhaps his agent will now be on the phone trying to make that happen.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-target-finds-himself-in-serious-drama-disappearance-leads-to-panic/

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Estcourt joins English third-tier side Fulham
Wales midfielder Charlie Estcourt has joined English third-tier side Fulham women for 2026-27.

The 28-year old has left Portsmouth, who were relegated to the English Southern Premier division in which Fulham play at the end of last season.

Estcourt joined Portsmouth - then in Women's Super League 2 - in February after agreeing to terminate her contract with DC Power FC.

Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson has stated she would like her players to be playing regular football for their clubs, which Estcourt will aim to do at her new club.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ckg4v9w0pk4o

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Fulham demands put immediate stop to transfer idea – Asking for double what club can afford
Fulham's initial demands for striker Rodrigo Muniz have scared off Brazilian side Flamengo's early efforts to sign him this summer.

Somos Fanaticos and Netfla both report on the situation today, explaining that Fulham aren't making life easy for the Brazilian side.

Fulham shoot down Flamengo
Sport Witness covered a report this week explaining that Flamengo were eyeing the Fulham striker. Somos Fanaticos follow that up today, reporting that Fulham have set their conditions for a possible transfer.

According to their information, Flamengo would have 'dig deep into their pockets' if they want for the 25-year-old. They will only let Muniz go for will only let Muniz 'in excess' of €40m.

That sum is considered high by Brazilian standards, but Flamengo did make a similar investment when they brought Lucas Paquetá back to Brazil. They are yet to offer anything for the striker, and he is preparing for pre-season with Fulham at this moment in time.

He could be set for increased opportunities next season, with Raúl Jiménez having departed and returned to Wolverhampton Wanderers. His departure is also part of the reason why Fulham are reluctant to sell at this moment in time. It also remains to be seen what new manager Alvaro Arbeloa plans for his side.

€40m demand
Net Fla report that the possible return of Rodrigo Muniz to Flamengo 'continue to gain no traction'.

According to them, Fulham are demanding more than €40m for the striker this summer. That figure does not fit with the Rio de Janeiro club's current financial policy. They don't intend to exceed €20m for the striker if they are to sign him this summer.

So far, Fulham have shown no sign of being willing to facilitate such a deal. They have no need to sell and there is currently 'no room for compromise'.

That leaves Flamengo limited in what they can do. They could only exceed the €20m figure in 'specific circumstances'. For now, the Brazilian side have not entered into negotiations with Fulham or the player.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-demands-put-immediate-stop-to-transfer-idea-asking-for-double-what-club-can-afford/

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Fulham face Marco Silva competition – Clubs battling for departed Tottenham player
Fulham is facing competition from former manager Marco Silva in a reported chase for ex-Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma. Moreover, Benfica are making their move for the free agent.

The Mali international is available after leaving Tottenham at the end of his contract this summer. His next destination is beginning to take shape.

According to Mais Futebol, Benfica have already made an initial approach for the 29-year-old. Negotiations between the parties have been ongoing since those first contacts.

But Fulham are also credited with an interest. Meanwhile, other English clubs are monitoring the situation.

Marco Silva turns to familiar face
Benfica's interest comes with that obvious catch. Marco Silva only left Fulham this summer to take charge at Benfica. Now the Portuguese manager is attempting to beat his former club to the 29-year-old's signature.

Silva knows Bissouma well from their years in England. He regularly came up against him during the midfielder's spells at Brighton and Tottenham.

The Portuguese coach swapped Fulham for Benfica this summer. He is now looking to strengthen his midfield. After missing out on João Palhinha, who is on the verge of joining Aston Villa, the Lisbon club have turned their attention to other experienced options.

Fulham reunion possible
Fulham's interest also makes sense given the club's own midfield plans. A return to London would allow Bissouma to remain in the Premier League after eight seasons in England. He first joined Brighton from Lille before earning a move to Tottenham in 2022.

Benfica, however, are trying to take advantage of his free-agent status. Mais Futebol report that talks have been progressing since the club's initial approach, suggesting the Portuguese side are serious about bringing him to Lisbon.

That leaves Fulham competing directly with their former manager for the signature of a player who is available without a transfer fee and whose experience in English football makes him an attractive market opportunity.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-face-marco-silva-competition-clubs-battling-for-departed-tottenham-player/

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Who is Chibuike Nwaiwu?
After mounting reports across Turkish media, Sky Sports Austria have reported that Chibuike Nwaiwu is on the verge of a move to SW6 for around £25m, after Nwaiwu reportedly agreed to personal terms on a four year deal with Fulham.

So, who is Chibuike Nwaiwu?

An overview of Nwaiwu's career:
After starting his career with FC Heartland in Nigeria, Nwaiwu moved to Enyimba Aba in Nigeria, where his holding midfield displays earned Nwaiwu a move to Austrian side Wolfsberger AC in September 2024.

After a stellar season and a half in Austria, where he helped Wolfsberger win their first ever domestic cup with a crucial late equaliser against LASK and a clean sheet against TSV Hartberg in the final, the now 22 year old Nwaiwu earned a move to rising Turkish side Trabzonspor last winter.

The Nigerian's half season in Turkey saw the Port Harcourt native win yet another domestic cup and earn his first three caps for the Nigerian national team after an instantaneous installation into one of the first names on the team sheet on the Black Sea.

Who is Chibuke Nwaiwu?
Great recovery speed: a great fit for Arbeloa's system
With Joachim Andersen leaving Fulham susceptible to many a ball over the top last season, the addition of Nwaiwu fits Arbeloa's high intensity, high line system much more than the Dane currently does, as Nwaiwu completes 6.60 recoveries per 90 (within the top 97.8 percentile of all defenders in the Super Lig).

A perfect physical fit to the Premier League
Combine the former Wolfsburger man's top speed with the fact he is 6'4, and you have the mould of a player perfect for the growing physicality of the Premier League.

Add Chibuike's 0.82 headed shots per 90 (within the top 93rd percentile of all Super Lig defenders) and you have a player who can be a threat in either box from set pieces — which is another issue Fulham have to address this summer.

A ball playing defender
Nwaiwu spent his formative years at Enyimba Aba as a holding midfielder, and his level of passing shows that, and so do his underlying numbers.

The Trabzonspor man completes 57.16 passes per 90 (within 90th percentile of all Super Lig defenders), completes 54.8% of his long balls (within 78th percentile of all Super Lig defenders), and touches the ball 79.83 times per 90 (within 94.6 percentile of all Super Lig defenders)

My Verdict
Nwaiwu has it all: power, pace and an ability to progress the ball through the thirds.

In an Arbeloa system that requires fast centre halves to enable a high line, having Joachim Andersen as our primary right sided defender is not an option. Add to that the threat and stability of an imposing centre half Nwaiwu provides, gambling on the 22 year old's upside seems like a smart buy from Tony Khan.

Credit where credit is due.

Moving on Andersen for any fee and moving towards a younger centre half is just the move Fulham need to be making in the world of post SCR football, and while £25m is a lot of money for a player as unproven as Nwaiwu is, giving Arbeloa, a man who has sold himself on his ability to develop players, with a truly complete skillset like Nwaiwu's does not come round often.

He may need time, but luckily Fulham have the central defensive depth to allow Nwaiwu to sit behind Issa Diop for parts of the upcoming season.

Gambling on huge upside, moving quickly to buy a player, moving towards a younger target of transfer, and backing a manager's system is something we should all love to see. The fee may be high, but the payoff is even higher.

Top marks from me, Tony. Now, get it over the line.



https://medium.com/@LondonsOriginal/who-is-chibuike-nwaiwu-ac5a0594870d

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Manchester United Are Eyeing A Move For This Fulham Star: Should Carrick Snap Him Up?
In a recent report, journalist Graeme Bailey mentioned that Manchester United are eyeing a move for Fulham star Sander Berge. It has been claimed that the Red Devils have identified the Norwegian talent as a target for this summer transfer window.

Berge's Solid Campaign In English Football
Berge had a solid campaign at the London club after he put in a handful of influential displays for them in the middle of the park. The 28-year-old secured one assist in 39 appearances but failed to score a goal for the Cottagers last season in multiple competitions.

The Norway international is currently among the most talented central midfielders in the Premier League. Hence, the Red Devils would do well to get a deal over the line for him in this transfer period.

His current contract at Craven Cottage will run out in the summer of 2029, which could make it tough for Man United to sign him on the cheap later this year.

Should Manchester United Boss Michael Carrick Snap Berge Up This Summer?
Berge loves a tackle and can time his challenges well to earn the ball back for his team in the middle of the park. He doesn't mind clearing the danger when the opposition are on the offensive and is a tidy passer as well from midfield.

The Norwegian sensation can even create the odd chance for his teammates to find the back of the net. Berge mainly plays as a holding midfielder but can also serve as a box-to-box midfielder if told to do so by his manager. He is already quite familiar with the Premier League and won't take much time to adjust to life at Man United.

We can expect Berge to bring more quality and depth to Michael Carrick's midfield department. He is good enough to challenge for a regular first-team spot at the Theatre of Dreams in the coming seasons.

At 28, Berge is about to enter his prime, which makes him a decent option for the Red Devils to consider this off-season. He will also help the Mancunian outfit compete across all fronts over the next few years. Therefore, Carrick should think about trying everything in his power to snap him up before the end of this transfer period.



https://the4thofficial.net/2026/07/manchester-united-are-eyeing-a-move-for-this-fulham-star/