Interest hots up from the PL big guns for Dembele

[NorthernWhite]

There's no doubt in my mind he'll be gone in the summer but if we can get interest from enough clubs, hopefully we can get a fee for around 12 million. I'd be happy with that and it can be used to re-invest in younger wingers/playmaker.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/05/10/3091689/manchester-united-city-chelsea-join-race-to-sign-12m-dembele

Manchester United, City & Chelsea join race to sign £12m Dembele
The Belgian striker-turned-playmaker is regarded as a cut-price option by Premier League big guns ahead of summer scramble for his signature, with the Londoners willing to cash in
10 May 2012 07:00:00  More On :  Chelsea FC, Fulham, Manchester City, Manchester United, Moussa Dembele  5 Comments 1

EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent
Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have joined the race to land Moussa Dembele from Fulham in the summer, Goal.com can disclose.

The attacking midfielder is being closely watched by all the Premier League big guns as the stampede for his signature increases.

Martin Jol is delighted with his team's campaign and is looking forward to facing Spurs on Sunday at White Hart Lane


Goal.com revealed in March that Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham were closely monitoring the 24-year-old.

And the Belgium international's instrumental role in Fulham's climb to ninth in the Premier League has now also alerted the three English clubs with the biggest wage bills.

Dembele is rated at £12-£15million by Fulham, where he has matured this season into one of the most accomplished playmakers in the Premier League.

However, Dembele will have only a year left on his contract come the end of the current season and the bidding for his services is likely to start at below the £10m mark.

Fulham are keen to agree new terms with the player, who joined from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar for £5m in the summer of 2010.

But the west Londoners, whose highest paid player is goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, know they cannot compete in terms of wages or status with the richest Premier League clubs, and accept they will struggle to hold on to the Belgian were he to receive an attractive offer in the summer.

Dembele is considered by Fulham to be one of their two prize assets along with Clint Dempsey, whose future is also shrouded in doubt with a year remaining on his contract. The club are more likely to cash in on the Belgian because of his greater market value than his free-scoring 29-year-old sidekick.

Dembele was initially signed as a striker but Martin Jol has played him almost exclusively in an attacking midfield role, including in a central two in recent months, and he has responded with some of the best football of his career.

He has scored only seven goals in 71 appearances for Fulham, including just two goals this season although regular observers believe he could be even more effective playing with higher quality players.

[LukeJennings]

If only he had a 3 year contract would be worth 20+ million!

[BalDrick]

Swap deal with Carrick (and maybe some cash)?

[MJG]

Swap deal with Carrick (and maybe some cash)?

I was talking the other day at the game about who is the Murphy of today we could pick up and Carrick was at the top of the list. Problem is he is still in the utd team and could even make England's squad so i dont think we could get him this summer....but maybe next.

[BalDrick]

Swap deal with Carrick (and maybe some cash)?

I was talking the other day at the game about who is the Murphy of today we could pick up and Carrick was at the top of the list. Problem is he is still in the utd team and could even make England's squad so i dont think we could get him this summer....but maybe next.

There have been rumours for a while about Carrick - I don't really understand why because a), as you say, he's in the United team more often than not (unless Slur Alex is changing to a different system next season?) and b) he's a Geordie so the homesick issue doesn't wash either. Spent a while in London didn't he, West Ham and Spurs.

But yeah, of the players I am aware of (not a huge amount admittedly), other than Mark Davies at Bolton (and I don't think he's good enough to lace Murph's boots), Carrick is the only one I can think of who fits the bill.

[Frankie-Peter Taylor]

Swap deal with Carrick (and maybe some cash)?

Yeah Carrick is top class, one of my favourite non-Fulham players. One that's been forgotten that has immense talent is Tom Huddlestone. "Martin Jol compared Tom Huddlestone with German legend Franz Beckenbauer due to his playmaking abilities, ferocious shot power and versatility."

He'd be a class replacement for Murphy and even when he comes back from injury, he doesn't have much chance of starting with Parker, Sandro and Livermore staking their claims this season.

[Frankie-Peter Taylor]

Also, our highest paid player is Mark Schwarzer? Really? I thought we made Bobby our highest paid player ever on £50k a week, a little stunned that Mark is our highest paid player.

[RidgeRider]

Also, our highest paid player is Mark Schwarzer? Really? I thought we made Bobby our highest paid player ever on £50k a week, a little stunned that Mark is our highest paid player.

Bobby is not a Fulham player, so Mark is probably the highest Fulham player now.

[lamby]

Also, our highest paid player is Mark Schwarzer? Really? I thought we made Bobby our highest paid player ever on £50k a week, a little stunned that Mark is our highest paid player.

I presume when the Gunners came for him (was that last year?) we probably had to up his salary to keep him happy. I think the difference in wages between our top 6-8 players would only be about £10k a week.

[twang]

Swap deal with Carrick (and maybe some cash)?

Yeah Carrick is top class, one of my favourite non-Fulham players. One that's been forgotten that has immense talent is Tom Huddlestone. "Martin Jol compared Tom Huddlestone with German legend Franz Beckenbauer due to his playmaking abilities, ferocious shot power and versatility."

He'd be a class replacement for Murphy and even when he comes back from injury, he doesn't have much chance of starting with Parker, Sandro and Livermore staking their claims this season.

The problem is Huddlestone is injuried more than he's playing. Compare that to Murphy who's had an almost injury free five year stint here.

[HatterDon]

Swap deal with Carrick (and maybe some cash)?

Yeah Carrick is top class, one of my favourite non-Fulham players. One that's been forgotten that has immense talent is Tom Huddlestone. "Martin Jol compared Tom Huddlestone with German legend Franz Beckenbauer due to his playmaking abilities, ferocious shot power and versatility."

He'd be a class replacement for Murphy and even when he comes back from injury, he doesn't have much chance of starting with Parker, Sandro and Livermore staking their claims this season.

The problem is Huddlestone is injuried more than he's playing. Compare that to Murphy who's had an almost injury free five year stint here.

Exactly!

Huddlestone is going to be one of those players who will be remembered remembered for his immense talent and promise, but "It's a shame he couldn't stay healthy." Of all the Tottenham to Fulham rumors I've been laughing at the last 4 seasons or so, the one I really wanted to happen was for Huddlestone to come here.

[Mr_Moon]

Relatively, Carrick is woeful and just another example of how Ferguson cannot buy a central midfield. There's no way he would drop to our level either so that's a non starter.

Can't see Chelsea signing him. Too much upheaval.

[cottage cheese]

what about o'hara? yes he played his part in a crap wolves team..but my god he did fling and pull off some superb passes under the pressure from dembele and murphy.  He has got the stamina for a box to box midfielder with a range of passes

Yes you may say hes rubbish but i honestly think given the right team and tactics he really has a fantastic vision and eye for goal. Maybe not a muphy replacement but surely worth more over sidders?

[EJL]

what about o'hara? yes he played his part in a crap wolves team..but my god he did fling and pull off some superb passes under the pressure from dembele and murphy.  He has got the stamina for a box to box midfielder with a range of passes

Yes you may say hes rubbish but i honestly think given the right team and tactics he really has a fantastic vision and eye for goal. Maybe not a muphy replacement but surely worth more over sidders?

I think the guy's hugely overrated.

[HatterDon]

what about o'hara? yes he played his part in a crap wolves team..but my god he did fling and pull off some superb passes under the pressure from dembele and murphy.  He has got the stamina for a box to box midfielder with a range of passes

Yes you may say hes rubbish but i honestly think given the right team and tactics he really has a fantastic vision and eye for goal. Maybe not a muphy replacement but surely worth more over sidders?

I think the guy's hugely overrated.

you have a gift for understatement M. EJL. Add to that the fact that he seems to be putting on more weight, I would hope we'd stay away from HMS O'Hara.

[AlbanianWhite]

Joey Barton?

[kiwiwaka]

Also, our highest paid player is Mark Schwarzer? Really? I thought we made Bobby our highest paid player ever on £50k a week, a little stunned that Mark is our highest paid player.

Bobby is not a Fulham player, so Mark is probably the highest Fulham player now.

I'd say he was probably on £40k when he joined, but i'd hazard a guess hes on £30k or so now. Top earners are probably Ruiz, Johnson and possibly Riise? Apparently after Zamora's gone, our highest wages were £40-45k a week, which i'd imagine the likes of Johnson/Ruiz/Riise/Hangeland are between 30-45k

[TonyGilroy]

I'd hazard a guess that contracts are significantly more sophisticated and complex than £xK per week.

Contingencies, bonuses, image rights, pension contributions and (maybe) legal payments not covered by PAYE.

[AlFayedsChequebook]

I'd hazard a guess that contracts are significantly more sophisticated and complex than £xK per week.

Contingencies, bonuses, image rights, pension contributions and (maybe) legal payments not covered by PAYE.

Not to mention the way they are configured to minimise tax liabilities in the UK

[TonyGilroy]

I'd hazard a guess that contracts are significantly more sophisticated and complex than £xK per week.

Contingencies, bonuses, image rights, pension contributions and (maybe) legal payments not covered by PAYE.

Not to mention the way they are configured to minimise tax liabilities in the UK

That's the "maybe" bit.