Friday Fulham Stuff - 24/07/26...

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Fulham reportedly linked with move for Real Madrid striker
Fulham have had quite the busy transfer window, but not for the reason that many might have thought. They spent the opening weeks of the window having to sort out who would man the helm of their team for the upcoming season, landing on former Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa, who spent half a season in charge of Los Blancos to fill in for the departed Xabi Alonso.
It appears that the Spaniard isn't leaving all of his connections at the Bernabeu back in Madrid, as it's been recently reported that The Cottagers are interested in acquiring a striker from the La Liga side.

Garcia to swap the Bernabeu for Craven Cottage?
As reported by The Athletic's Mario Cortegana, Fulham have been in contact with Real Madrid over a move for the 22-year-old, a player that the Madridistas were okay with letting go as settled a few months back, but the situation changed when Jose Mourinho stepped into the picture.
"Fulham are in talks to sign striker Gonzalo Garcia from Real Madrid..." writes Cortegana. "Sources with knowledge of the situation indicated Madrid had decided months ago that Garcia would leave this summer — but the process was put on hold after Mourinho's arrival as the new head coach wanted to see the striker in pre-season."
There's a valid reason for interest from both sides, as the 22-year-old has shone in the minutes that he's been given, recording 11 goal involvements across his 39 appearances last season. But for Fulham, this could be just what they've been looking for, as their key target in the front line, Raul Jimenez, departed for a move back to Wolverhampton earlier in the window.
This leaves The Cottagers with a 13-goal hole in their attacking department, which, if they wish to stay in the middle of the Premier League table, is something they'll have to address in the coming weeks before the start of the 2026-27 season.



https://www.sportingnews.com/us/soccer/fulham/news/fulham-reportedly-linked-move-real-madrid-striker/5e757b550c57e570e191d09b

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Leeds United table third bid to sign Shea Charles, offer rejected
Leeds United may move on to other midfield targets after having a third bid rejected for 22-year-old Northern Ireland international Shea Charles by Southampton.

According to a report by Sky Sports journalist Zinny Boswell, Crystal Palace and Fulham are also interested in Shea Charles. The two London clubs are keen on reinforcing their midfield units by signing a holding midfielder, and Leeds United's hesitance to submit another bid has partly cleared the route for them to pursue the youngster's signature.

Shea Charles and his Southampton resurgence
Shea Charles has been one of the most promising young prospects in the EFL Championship since Southampton's relegation to the second division last year. The 22-year-old emerged in the 2025/26 campaign after a slow start at St. Mary's.

Charles, who has picked Northern Ireland as his national side, overcame a hamstring injury to become a mainstay in the middle of the park and a cornerstone of Southampton's promotion tilt before suffering relegation following the Spygate scandal, making 38 appearances across all competitions while contributing 6 goals and 2 assists. Meanwhile, the player's exploits for the Saints have helped him garner interest from well-known clubs.

Premier League return on the horizon?
Fulham recently joined the race to sign the Manchester-born midfielder. The Cottagers are keen on signing a midfield anchor, as there are concerns surrounding Sander Berge's long-term future amid his links with Manchester United. Even if the Norwegian midfielder remains at Craven Cottage, Alvaro Arbeloa needs to sign a ball-carrier who can partner him in the centre.

Meanwhile, Leeds United's interest in Shea Charles makes sense. While the Whites signed several midfielders last summer, Sean Longstaff has been a backup player for Daniel Farke. Additionally, Ao Tanaka's long-term future is uncertain amid his frustrations over a lack of regular game time. Charles has thus emerged as a viable target, with recent reports suggesting they are the front-runners to sign him.

As for Crystal Palace, while Daichi Kamada has signed a new contract, there are concerns about Adam Wharton's long-term future amid his links with several high-profile Premier League clubs. Additionally, Jefferson Lerma is on the wrong side of 30, while Cheick Doucoure has struggled with fitness issues throughout his stint with Crystal Palace. So, they must sign at least one midfielder in the coming weeks, with Charles an option worth considering.

Meanwhile, Leeds United's focus on alternatives reflects the protracted nature of the Charles pursuit, allowing clarity before the season begins. Southampton remain confident of retaining Charles for the 2026/27 season, with Fulham and Crystal Palace yet to lodge formal bids.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/07/23/leeds-united-table-third-bid-to-sign-shea-charles-offer-rejected/

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Fulham, Lyon rival Everton in Lois Openda chase
Fulham and Lyon are keen on signing 26-year-old Belgian international Lois Openda from Serie A club Juventus this summer.

According to a report by French outlet Jeunes Footeux, Lois Openda is also the subject of interest from Everton. However, Lyon will attempt to beat the competition to the Juventus striker's signature after making progress in the talks to sign him, though they are not the favourites to land the 26-year-old, per the update.

Lois Openda and his Serie A woes
Lois Openda has endured a frustrating spell since joining Juventus from RB Leipzig last summer. The Bianconeri initially signed the 26-year-old on loan while agreeing to a conditional purchase obligation clause, hoping he would replicate his form from the Bundesliga at the Allianz Stadium. However, his impact waned in his debut season, particularly under Luciano Spalletti.

Openda has managed only 997 minutes of game time in 34 appearances thus far for Juventus while chipping in with just two goals. Despite his struggles, the Belgian striker's stock remains high, with Lyon, Fulham, and Everton among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.

Premier League move on the horizon?
Everton will pursue a striker in the ongoing transfer window, as Beto and Thierno Barry showed inconsistency in the 2025/26 season. While both players showed flashes of brilliance, they were never consistent enough to become an undisputed first-choice starter for David Moyes. Additionally, Barry faces an uncertain future at the Hill Dickinson Stadium amid his links with RB Leipzig.

Meanwhile, Fulham's interest in Lois Openda makes logical sense. Raul Jimenez departed as a free agent before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this summer, while widespread reports have linked Rodrigo Muniz with a move away from Craven Cottage. Alvaro Arbeloa is seeking reinforcement at striker.

Meanwhile, Lyon face an identical vacancy at centre-forward. Paulo Fonseca's squad lacks a recognised striking option, and Openda is an appealing target due to his previous experience in Ligue 1 with RC Lens, which offers familiarity with the division. Despite his downturn in form and fortunes at Juventus, his prior spell in French football positions him as a realistic prospect for the Ligue 1 giants.

Per Jeunes Footeux, despite Lyon's progress in talks to sign Openda, Everton and Fulham have "intensified their interest" in the Juventus striker. Talks with Lyon remain ongoing; Everton and Fulham are frontrunners to land the Belgian international.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/07/23/fulham-lyon-rival-everton-in-lois-openda-chase/

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26/27 Home Kit revealed

WE LIVE BY THE RIVER
We're delighted to unveil Fulham's new Home Kit for the 2026/27 season, which is available to purchase online and instore from today.

Produced by adidas, our historic white jersey features a unique pattern woven into the fabric of the shirt, inspired by the movement of the water created within the river beside our Craven Cottage home. Our launch film, available to view now, features players from Fulham's men's and women's teams.

The Home Shirt is complemented by the iconic adidas three stripes and – new for the 2026/27 season - comes available in both short and long sleeve options in adult sizes.

2026/27 will see Fulham return to black shorts, and our Home Kit is completed by white socks with black and red accent trims, emblazoned with a red 'FFC' to deliver a timeless look. 

The 2026/27 Kit is the first to feature the Club's new Front of Shirt Principal Partner, ClickHouse, who will sit across the men's first team shirts, and all men's and women's retail shirts. Club Principal Partner, HiBob, continue on the sleeve across all kits.

Official Family Partner, Royal Caribbean return for a fourth consecutive season to feature on the front of all junior retail kits and our Academy teams.

The 2026/27 Home Kit is available to purchase now in all adult and junior sizes, including a women's fit.

Fans can buy their kit now online at shop.fulhamfc.com or from the Stadium Store at Craven Cottage.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/july/23/26-27-home-kit-revealed/

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The FFC Rumour Mill: Issa Diop is out - is Gonzalo Garcia in?
Jack Stroudley looks at all the latest Fulham rumours.

We're now two weeks into Alvaro Arbeloa's tenure and things are starting to bubble at SW6.

AA spoke to FFCTV about his desire to bring players in early; there have been rumours but a lack of 'here we go' so far. But there are some talking points from the last week - let's take a look.

Incomings
Finally, a bomba.

The Athletic's Real Madrid correspondent, Mario Cortegana, says that the Whites are moving ahead in their pursuit of Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia with Arbeloa keen and Jose Mourinho unable to provide the 22 year old assurances about his playing time. Madrid would retain preferential rights over his future if the deal goes through.

We've spoke about Chibuike Nwaiwu for a couple of weeks now, but this is starting to feel like it has legs.

SkySports Austria reported that a deal between the Nigerian defender and Fulham was nearing completion - but this has yet to be confirmed by sources in England. The one source that is going heavy on this is FulhamTransfer, who confirmed on Monday that the deal was nearing completion after payments and instalments were agreed. Turkish outlets corroborated this, with an initial fee of €8m to €10m and a 10% to 15% sell-on fee.

This is a rumour that won't go away and while I'm struggling to believe the individual sources, the collective knocking on the door of this rumour means there must be some truth in it. Nwaiwu has helped that cause by constantly liking Fulham's social media posts, but I won't be calling this one a goer until we get a top-tier source based in the UK.

Looking a bit further forward, reports that Fulham are pushing forward with moves for Real Madrid duo Franco Mastantuono and the previously mentioned Gonzalo Garcia. Reports in Spain on Wednesday indicate that talks are ongoing for both. Mastantuono would be on loan with Fulham wanting an option on the deal, Madrid however don't want an option to be included as they value him as a key player for the future.

FulhamTransfer also reports that Fulham hold an interest in USMNT forward Folarin Balogun, but there is uncertainty around if we will pay the £40m valuation. Other English outlets had suggested that Sunderland are also interested in Balogun, but Sky squashed those rumours.

Circling back to Real Madrid, reports in Spain have claimed that Alvaro Arbeloa is interested in midfielder Cesar Palacios. The same report also claims that despite this interest, Fulham haven't contacted Madrid about the 21 year old and Italian side Como is in the front seat to sign Palacios.

There seems to be a development with Fulham target Shea Charles with reports on Tuesday night that we are "preparing" a £24m bid for the Southampton midfielder as we look to pip Leeds to the signing of the 22-year-old. Reports in Yorkshire on Wednesday indicate that Daniel Farke's side have cooled interest on Charles leaving a clear path for Fulham.

BBC have reported that Fulham hold an interest in re-signing Reiss Nelson from Arsenal. I really hope this isn't true; I liked Nelson at Fulham but he had a torrid time of it at Brentford. Yes his stock is low and as a back-up it wouldn't be terrible - but I really think this ship has sailed.

Finally, academy graduate Sam Amissah has signed a new deal at the club amid interest from Arsenal.

Outgoings
One rumour that's come to fruition is Issa Diop heading to newly-promoted Ipswich Town. The deal was announced on Wednesday, bringing the curtain down on four years at the club for the Moroccan centre-back.

I've seen differing opinions online about this so naturally, I'll give my two pence. Diop was better than Andersen last season, but we need to start selling players with a year or longer left on their deal from a financial point of view and getting around £8m back for someone who turns 30 in January isn't bad business. Diop has been fantastic for us, and he will be for Ipswich.

Sander Berge to Manchester United is a rumour that won't go away, with TeamTalk reporting that the Norwegian is seen as a serious target by Michael Carrick's side. Berge could be available for less than £40m.

Finally, Alfie McNally's loan to York City has been confirmed by the League Two side.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p/the-ffc-rumour-mill-issa-diop-is

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Player's final decision awaited as Fulham make advances for signing – Arbeloa in direct contact
Fulham manager Álvaro Arbeloa is leading their pursuit of signing Real Madrid's Gonzalo García and Franco Mastantuono this summer.

Earlier this month, the Premier League side appointed Arbeloa as Marco Silva's successor. He arrived in London, after stepping down from his role as Real Madrid's manager.

The Fulham boss knows the Real Madrid duo well.

On Wednesday, Sport Witness covered claims from Spain that the London club have opened talks with Los Blancos for the two players.

García hopes to convince José Mourinho during pre-season and stay in Madrid.

Fulham manager keen on Gonzalo García
Cope picks up on this and covers the latest on the London club's efforts to sign the striker.

Gonzalo García has played under Álvaro Arbeloa for Los Blancos' youth team. He has six goals and two assists for U19s and four goals and an assist for the first team under his orders.

Fulham have started negotiations with Real Madrid for the 22-year-old. The La Liga side want to retain a 'preferential option', meaning a buyback clause and/or a high sell-on percentage.

This shows the Spanish club are open to a sale, but José Mourinho isn't convinced.

Arbeloa trying to convince striker
The new Fulham boss is also holding talks, likely with the player, and Cope claims this demonstrates the 'importance of the deal for the club'.

Real Betis have shown interest and come forward to sign him on loan. However, this didn't please either the Spanish giants or Gonzalo García.

The Spain international is looking for a project where he can enjoy a prominent role.

That won't be at Real Madrid considering José Mourinho has Kylian Mbappé and Endrick ahead of him. García would get more game time at Fulham, who are aiming to sign him permanently.

If Mourinho won't give him a role next season, the player could consider a move to Fulham.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/players-final-decision-awaited-as-fulham-make-advances-for-signing-arbeloa-in-direct-contact/

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Arbeloa's Fulham in talks for two Real Madrid talents
As the preseason nears the end of its second week, Jose Mourinho must already have made some assessment of the players that have been training under him during this time. Several of these players are not going to remain a part of the Merengue team going into the next season, as they are not an essential part of the club's plans going forward, but the new coach wanted to see them train before making a final decision about them.

Two players who fall in this category are Gonzalo Garcia and Franco Mastantuono. Both of these players are still quite young, and have a lot of years left to play at the highest level. But at this stage of their careers, they need to play consistent minutes at a competitive level to continue their growth and development.

Both these players have several options available if they are to leave Los Blancos. However, it is the Premier League side Fulham, which recently appointed the former Real Madrid trainer Alvaro Arbeloa as their head coach, that is pushing the most to sign both these players. In fact, according to Diario AS, the London-based club is already in talks to sign them.

However, the cases of these players are still quite different. Fulham are looking to get Garcia on a permanent transfer, and are preparing an offer that can convince the Merengues to part ways with him. For his part, the forward's priority is to convince Mourinho and stay at the white club, but he understands that minutes might be hard to come by as he will have to compete with Endrick for the second place in the striker pecking order, behind Kylian Mbappe.

It is a similar situation with Mastantuono, who will also have to compete with Rodrygo Goes, Brahim Diaz, Bernardo Silva, and Arda Guler for the right wing spot. However, still being only 18 years of age, Real Madrid are looking to send him only on a loan, and Fulham are also considering getting him on a one-year loan. However, other sides like River Plate and Como are also interested in him.



https://siempremadrid.com/arbeloas-fulham-in-talks-for-two-real-madrid-talents/

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Fulham now major contenders to sign £40m star who wanted to join Leeds
Fulham are now serious contenders to sign Juventus striker Lois Openda, following Raul Jimenez's move to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Cottagers need to sign a new centre-forward this summer, with Jimenez returning to Molineux, and they recently made an approach to sign AS Monaco star Folarin Balogun, but Openda is now in the frame as an alternative option.

The 26-year-old didn't enjoy the greatest of 2025-26 campaigns, scoring just one Serie A goal for Juventus, but his goal and assist return during spells with RB Leipzig, RC Lens and Vitesse Arnhem offers a lot more encouragement.

Lois Openda's attacking record	Appearances	Goals	Assists
RB Leipzig	93	41	18
Vitesse Arnhem	88	37	11
Club Brugge	53	5	3
RC Lens	42	21	4
Juventus	34	2	0

Although the Belgian has failed to reach the heights expected of him in Italy, despite costing Juventus £40m, he could be capable of making an impact in the Premier League, having been lauded as "incredible" by scout Antonio Mango during his time at RB Leipzig.

Back in May, it was revealed the Juventus centre-forward wanted to sign for Leeds, but two other Premier League clubs have now emerged as potential suitors.

Fulham storm into the race for Lois Openda
According to a report from Jeunes Footeux, Fulham are now serious contenders to sign Openda, but Everton have also stepped up their interest, alongside Lyon, so there could be fierce competition for his signature.

The two English sides are capable of making larger bids and offering better wages, which could give them the edge, with Juventus willing to sit back and let a bidding war take place.

Who needs to sign Lois Openda the most?

Fulham	Fulham have lost Jimenez, who scored nine Premier League goals this season, and thus far former loanee Jonah Kusi-Asare has been their only attacking signing, but the former Bayern Munich remains inexperienced at just 19. As such, the Cottagers could do with bringing in a striker with experience in a major European league, and Openda fits the bill, given his exploits in the Bundesliga.
Everton	Tyrique George has been the only addition to David Moyes' forward line this summer, but the former Chelsea man usually plays out wide. The Toffees may need to sign an out-and-out striker, given that Thierno Barry didn't exactly set the world alight during his debut campaign at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, scoring just eight goals in 41 matches across all competitions.
Leeds United	Leeds are arguably less in need of a striker, given the impact Dominic Calvert-Lewin made last season. The former Everton star scored 14 goals in 35 Premier League games to help fire Daniel Farke's side to safety, and he remains under contract for two more years. Back-up option Lukas Nmecha also chipped in when required, netting six top flight goals.

Shahid Khan & co also remain keen on improving the midfield this summer, and there has been a significant update on their pursuit of Southampton star Shea Charles. Alvaro Arbeloa has now approved a move for the central midfielder, who is also being targeted by Leeds.



https://www.footballfancast.com/fulham-now-major-contenders-lois-openda-transfer-leeds/

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Fulham suffer transfer blow as alternatives to Real Madrid striker identified
Fulham were keen on an audacious swoop for the Real Madrid striker, who played under Alvaro Arbeloa last season

Fulham have moved on to other targets after being informed that Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia is not for sale.

Standard Sport understands that Fulham attempted to enter negotiations for the 22-year-old but were knocked back by Real Madrid and have now turned their attentions elsewhere in their search for a striker.

Alvaro Arbeloa had been keen to bring Garcia to Fulham, having worked with the Spanish international while he was interim boss of Real Madrid last season.

During Arbeloa's short stint in charge, Garcia scored four goals in all competitions and earned his first and to date only senior Spain cap, playing 45 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Iran.

Garcia was not called up to Spain's squad as they lifted the World Cup by beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time.

While Fulham took up their option to make Jonah Kusi Asare's move to the club permanent last month, they have still yet to sign a single new player this summer.

Depth in attack is a priority for the Whites after losing Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez upon the expiry of their contracts.

Wilson and Jimenez scored 19 Premier League goals between them last season as Fulham finished 11th.

Fulham were taken by surprise when Marco Silva announced he would leave Fulham once his contract expired in June.

The club then underwent a lengthy process to find his successor before eventually appointing Arbeloa at the start of July.

Discussions took place between Arbeloa and the club about potential targets when they were in negotiations about appointing him as manager.

A new striker and a winger are seen as the two main signings Fulham need to complete before the end of the transfer window.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-transfer-news-real-madrid-b1291072.html

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'Keep An Eye On' – Nottingham Forest Namechecked In Race For Everton And Fulham Target
Nottingham Forest have been namechecked as the club to 'keep an eye on' in the race for Atalanta wing-back Raoul Bellanova, amid interest from Everton and Fulham.

The Tricky Trees are embarking on a new chapter under Oliver Glasner after finishing 16th in the Premier League last season, though fresh faces are still yet to arrive at the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest have already seen Elliot Anderson and David Carmo depart permanently, while Jota Silva has joined Olympiacos on a season-long loan.

The sizeable fee received from Manchester City for the England international has boosted the club's transfer budget, handing the Tricky Trees significant funds to strengthen Glasner's squad.

Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande remains one of Forest's targets, with talks suggested to be at an advanced stage, while the club are also monitoring Argentine midfielder Mikel Amondarain.

Another name on the Garibaldi's shortlist is Bellanova, with Forest's interest first emerging at the beginning of June.

Fulham and Everton have also been credited with interest in the right-back, amid both Premier League sides being keen to recruit in that position, with the Toffees even submitting an approach for the 26-year-old.

Now, however, according to Italian outlet Corriere della Sera (via Tutto Mercato Web), Nottingham Forest are being tipped as the club to 'keep an eye on' in the race for Bellanova.

The Italy international, who graduated from AC Milan's academy, appears increasingly likely to leave Atalanta this summer and could even be involved in a swap deal.

La Dea are admirers of Nicolo Savona, who currently plies his trade with Nottingham Forest and should the possibility of an exchange materialise, negotiations could head in that direction.

Bellanova, a six-cap Italy international, has made 146 Serie A appearances and is comfortable operating along the entire right flank, qualities that would make him a valuable addition to the side Glasner is looking to shape in his first season at the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest have already begun pre-season with victories over Notts County and Blackburn Rovers, and they will be hoping to maintain that momentum by adding further quality before the new campaign.

The Garibaldis begin their Premier League campaign at home to Leeds United on 22nd August and it remains to be seen whether Bellanova will be part of Glasner's squad by then should a move materialise.



https://insidefutbol.com/2026/07/23/keep-an-eye-on-nottingham-forest-namechecked-in-race-for-everton-and-fulham-target/720889/

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Fulham get green light to reunite Arbeloa with dazzling Real Madrid star
Real Madrid are prepared to sanction a temporary departure for Franco Mastantuono this summer as the club prioritises the development of the highly rated Argentine teenager, TEAMtalk can confirm.

The 18-year-old, who can play as a winger and attacking midfielder, arrived from River Plate in August 2025 on a long-term contract, but he has found first-team opportunities limited during his debut campaign in the Spanish capital.

Under the guidance of manager Jose Mourinho, the club has given the green light for a straight loan move without any buy option, mirroring the approach taken with Endrick last season.

Real Madrid retain strong belief in Mastantuono's potential and are determined to keep full control of his future.

More than five clubs from Spain and further afield have already registered interest, with discussions expected to speed up in the coming days.

Fulham have emerged as one of the most interested suitors.

New manager Alvaro Arbeloa, familiar with the player from his time at Estadio Bernabeu, is keen on a reunion at Craven Cottage.

The Premier League side have explored a loan that could include an option to buy, though Madrid remain firmly against any permanent deal.

Fulham sources have confidence they can land him but face serious competition for his signature and need to convince Madrid he wouldn't be on the bench and will get regular time in the starting eleven.

River Plate have also made enquiries about a possible return, yet Madrid would prefer a European destination that offers competitive minutes.

Tottenham have already approached Real Madrid
Additional interest has come from Juventus, who are carefully evaluating the prospect and have made contact, along with Real Sociedad, Sporting CP, Benfica, Villarreal and Como.

Tottenham Hotspur previously made contact when Mastantuono was in Argentina but would want a permanent option.

Mastantuono's future will be decided jointly by the player, his representatives at AST, Mourinho and the Madrid hierarchy.

With the transfer window still open, a temporary switch appears the plan as the club seeks to balance immediate squad needs with the careful nurturing of one of their brightest young assets.



https://www.teamtalk.com/news/real-madrid-transfer-news-franco-mastantuono-fulham-alvaro-arbeloa-sources

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Fulham negotiating deals for Gonzalo Garcia, Franco Mastantuono
Fulham will look to sign Spanish striker Gonzalo Garcia and Argentine playmaker Franco Mastantuono from Real Madrid this summer.

According to a report by Spanish outlet AS, Gonzalo Garcia and Franco Mastantuono are subjects of interest from Fulham. The Cottagers are keen on reinforcing their offensive unit by signing a striker and a wide attacker in the ongoing transfer window, and they have held talks to sign the Real Madrid duo.

Gonzalo Garcia is the latest promising prospect to graduate from Real Madrid's La Fabrica division. While the Merengues have not seen many academy graduates establish a foothold in the first-team squad, those youngsters have made their mark elsewhere. However, Garcia has received some opportunities at the Santiago Bernabeu since enjoying his breakthrough at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Since then, Garcia has been a backup player, though he has already made over 50 appearances while chipping in with an impressive tally of 13 goals and five assists in less than 2,000 minutes of game time. On the other hand, Franco Mastantuono has had to bide his time since joining Real Madrid from River Plate last summer. The Spanish giants beat intense competition to secure his services, but the 18-year-old was not a regular starter in his debut season.

Mastantuono has managed less than 1,500 minutes of game time in 35 appearances across all competitions while chipping in with three goals and one assist. However, the Argentine prodigy's stock remains high, as does Garcia's, with Fulham among the prospective suitors vying for their signatures.

London calling?
Fulham's interest in Gonzalo Garcia and Franco Mastantuono is understandable. The Cottagers are scouring the market for a striker and a wide attacker this summer. They need a centre-forward, as Raul Jimenez has left as a free agent and rejoined Wolverhampton Wanderers. Additionally, Rodrigo Muniz reportedly faces an uncertain future at the West London club.

Meanwhile, Harry Wilson's departure as a free agent has created a productivity void in the Fulham attack, forcing them to pursue a replacement. Several candidates, including Martial Godo, have thus emerged on the club's wishlist, with Mastantuono also a viable target.

However, a summer move may be a tall order, as recent reports have claimed that Real Madrid will be reluctant to loan Mastantuono to Fulham. Meanwhile, a report by Sky Sports has revealed that Jose Mourinho is impressed with Garcia. So, Fulham may miss out on the Real Madrid duo.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/07/23/fulham-negotiating-deals-for-gonzalo-garcia-franco-mastantuono/

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Fulham FC Unveils 2026-27 Home Kit: A Modern Tribute to the Thames



Fulham Football Club has officially released its new Adidas home kit for the 2026-27 Premier League season. Launched on July 23, 2026, the fresh design combines the club's traditional aesthetics with new commercial partnerships and a deep connection to their historic Craven Cottage home.


Fulham FC 2026-27 Home Shirt

Design Details and Inspiration
The new home shirt maintains Fulham's iconic, clean white primary base. The classic look is complemented by black Adidas branding, including the signature Three Stripes on the shoulders, and sharp red trim highlighting the collar and sleeve cuffs.



One of the standout features of the 2026-27 jersey is a subtle, tonal embossed wave pattern woven into the fabric. This chevron-like structure mimics the gentle ripples of the River Thames, honoring the club's profound relationship with the iconic waterway that flows right beside Craven Cottage.



The kit is completed with a return to black shorts and white socks featuring black and red accent trims to deliver a timeless look. Additionally, the shirt comes in both short and long-sleeve options to suit player and fan preferences alike.

A New Era of Sponsorship
The 2026-27 kit marks a significant commercial shift for the club. Fulham has introduced ClickHouse, a Silicon Valley-based data analytics and technology company, as their new principal front-of-shirt sponsor.

• Replacing SBOTOP: ClickHouse takes over the front-of-shirt sponsorship ahead of the Premier League's upcoming voluntary ban on gambling sponsors, which is set to take effect for the 2026-27 campaign.

• Multi-Year Deal: The agreement represents ClickHouse's largest investment in football sponsorship to date, giving them visibility across the men's first team, away, and third kits.

• Continued Partnerships: HiBob continues its role as the club's principal sleeve sponsor across all kits.




https://www.thekitman.co.uk/fulham-fc-unveils-2026-27-home-kit-a-modern-tribute-to-the-thames/

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Fulham prepare bold bid that could decide a key midfielder's future
Saints have knocked back three bids for this player. Now a Premier League rival is ready to test their resolve again.

Shea Charles has spent the whole window fielding admirers. Leeds United have had three bids turned down, the most recent understood to be worth close to £23 million with add-ons, still short of the £25 million plus add-ons Southampton want before they will even talk terms.

A new name has entered the picture. Fulham are preparing a written offer worth £24 million, according to a report first carried by the Daily Mail. Alvaro Arbeloa's side finished 11th last season and want a midfielder who can play the defensive role Charles has made his own at St Mary's, with the option of covering centre back and right back too.

Where the interest actually stands
A written bid being prepared is not the same as one being accepted, and Southampton have shown all summer they are prepared to say no. The Daily Mail carries genuine Premier League contacts, and the figure has since been picked up by several other outlets covering both clubs, though none report anything beyond an offer being readied.

Leeds have tested a number close to this one three times without getting a deal done, so Fulham arriving at a similar level does not obviously change Southampton's calculation. Saints have held their valuation through every approach so far, and little in this report suggests that changes now.

What Saints Marching's reporting says about letting him go
Saints Marching covered Southampton's rejection of a third Leeds bid earlier this month and described it as a boost for the club, framing Charles staying as good news rather than a problem to solve.

Back in June, Saints Marching had flagged Charles as one of two midfielders, alongside Caspar Jander, who Southampton needed a contingency plan for, and urged the club to have a midfield signing ready in case either left.

Charles is not a squad player Southampton can afford to let go cheaply. There is no sign yet of the replacement the club would need if he departed.

The numbers explain why Southampton are holding out. FotMob rates him at 7.16 this season in the Championship, with three goals and two assists to his name. He has played 31 games in a Southampton shirt this term. Transfermarkt lists his market value at €15 million, close to £12.8 million at current rates. Southampton's £25 million asking price sits well clear of that figure. That gap alone shows how much the club rates his ceiling at just 22.

Not every fan is on the same page about what should happen next. On a Southampton fan forum thread discussing the story, one fan doubted the report changes anything: "I don't think I would trust anything that the Mail says. Didn't we already [turn] down an offer from Leeds for this amount?" Another fan sounded resigned, calling a departure "a major loss" and noting Charles "always seems to have time, even in tight situations."

Nothing here points to an imminent breakthrough. Southampton have said no three times this summer. Fulham's opening number still falls short of what would be needed to change that.

Saints Marching Verdict
Transfer Verdict: 3/5. Charles is young and versatile, and he is outperforming his market value this season. Southampton would still feel his exit at £24 million without a midfield replacement lined up first. Saints Marching flagged that exact risk back in June.

Likelihood: 2/5. The Daily Mail is a credible source, and the interest looks real. The fee reported still trails Southampton's demands. Saints have rejected three similar offers this summer.

This one reads as an opening move rather than a deal close to happening.



https://saintsmarching.com/fulham-prepare-bold-bid-that-could-decide-a-key-midfielder-s-future