Thursday Fulham Stuff (25/07/13)...

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Fulham midfielder sets target

DEREK Boateng hopes Fulham can secure a top-half finish in his first season at the club.

The Whites finished 12th last campaign, three points behind West Ham in 10th spot.

But Boateng, a summer signing from Ukrainian outfit Dnipro, hopes they can break into the top 10.

He said: "My focus is to make sure we're playing well and in a good position in the league. It will be tough, but it's my dream to be in the top 10.

"We have to take it one game at a time and work hard.

"We know it's not going to be easy. There are a lot of new managers coming in and good players as well."

Fulham continue their preparation for the start of the new campaign with two pre-season matches at Craven Cottage this month.

They face Spanish side Real Betis on Monday August 5 before entertaining Italian outfit Parma five days later.

Tickets are priced just £10 for adults and only £5 for under 16s when purchased in advance.

Family packages are also available to buy, for further information visit www.fulhamfc.com/tickets



Read more: Fulham Chronicle http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2013/07/24/82029-33650106/?#ixzz2a1hbDu6T

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2013/14 adidas Home Goalkeeper Kit On Sale



Following the successful pre-season tour of Costa Rica, the 2013/14 adidas Home Goalkeeper Kit is now available for fans to buy instore

The team picked up three wins over local opposition in Central America - including success in the penalty shoot-out against Deportivo Saprissa - and only conceded three goals. So what better time is there to get your hands on the new Home Kit or Goalkeeper Kit ahead of the new season.

As you will have seen, Fulham have a new goalkeeper in our ranks this year: Netherlands international Maarten Stekelenburg who arrived from Italian club AS Roma this summer for an undisclosed fee.

And competing with Maarten for a first team berth will also be the returning David Stockdale following his heroics with Hull City in the npower Championship last season, and Philippines international stopper Neil Etheridge.

If you want to look like Fulham's finest between the posts, supporters can buy online, at the Stadium Store located at Craven Cottage, or direct on 0843 208 1223 today.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/july/24/goalkeeper-kit-on-sale?

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Spurs and Southampton set to be disappointed as Fulham edge ahead for Pablo Osvaldo

SPURS are set to be frustrated in their pursuit of Pablo Osvaldo as Fulham appear to be edging ahead in the race for his signature.


Spurs have slipped behind in the race to sign Pablo Osvaldo

Manchester City were also previously linked with the Roma marksman before dropping their interest so they could force through a move for Stevan Jovetic.

Andre Villas-Boas has also been hot on the heels of Roberto Soldado, despatching Franco Baldini on Monday to Valencia to discuss a possible transfer.

However, the north London outfit have been given an ultimatum insofar as they have to meet Soldado's £26m release clause or else the La Liga outfit won't sell.


Spurs are in the hunt for Roberto Soldado


Fulham's new owner Shahid Khan is ready to make a statement of intent


Roma have already stated Pablo Osvaldo is for sale

According to a report in Italian sportspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Fulham are in prime position to land Osvaldo.

They suggest that Fulham's new owner Shahid Khan, has made his priority to make a big-name signing.


Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas is in need of a striker


Roma have already indicated that Osvaldo is for sale at €8m (£6.8m).

The 27-year-old burned his bridges with the Serie A outfit after criticising his manager on Twitter after his side lost in the Coppa Italia final against Lazio.

Osvaldo notched up 16 goals in Serie A last season.



http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/417150/Spurs-and-Southampton-set-to-be-disappointed-as-Fulham-edge-ahead-for-Pablo-Osvaldo?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-express-sport-news+%28Daily+Express+%3A%3A+Sport+Feed%29

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Torino beat Fulham and Stoke to Saint-Etienne star

Torino have beaten Fulham and Stoke City in the race to sign Faouzi Ghoulam.

talkSPORT revealed earlier that both Premier League sides trailed the 22-year-old but he will now sign for Torino.

The Italian club have agreed a fee of around £2.4m with Saint-Etienne having had two previous bids rejected.

Ghoulam, who represents Algeria at international level, will put pen to paper on a four-year deal.

He had also been coveted by Lille, who viewed him as the ideal replacement for new Paris St-Germain full-back Lucas Digne.



Read more: http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/130724/torino-beat-fulham-and-stoke-saint-etienne-star-202317?#ixzz2a1jSW5LI
Follow us: @talksport on Twitter
Read more at http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/130724/torino-beat-fulham-and-stoke-saint-etienne-star-202317?#LP2dX5jpDXAKal87.99

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Fulham Take Step Ahead of Everton In Race for Starlet Junior Malanda

Fulham have taken the initiative regarding the signing of Zulte Waregem man Junior Malanda with negotiations under way for the player also courted by Premier League rivals Everton, according to Belgian daily Het Nieuwsblad.

Malanda had skipped training at Zulte Waregem amid reports of English clubs seeking his services, a move that left the Belgian outfit "surprised".

It now appears that the 18-year-old has been in talks with Fulham about a transfer, as reports in Belgium indicated he had travelled to London yesterday alongwith his father.

Zulte Waregem were expected to continue attempts at keeping Malanda, especially with the club due for their UEFA Champions League qualifying-round clash against PSV Eindhoven in early August.

However, forcing the player to remain in Belgium is not something chairman Willy Naessens is prepared to do.

He was quoted by Het Nieuwsblad as saying: "We can fight this in the legal way, but that is really the last resort."

Malanda had moved to break his contract with Zulte Waregem, despite the club leaving the door open for the talented midfielder.

The Belgian had two years left on his deal with the Jupiler Pro League side, but it is understood he will almost certainly be playing abroad next season.


Read more at http://www.insidefutbol.com/2013/07/24/fulham-take-step-ahead-of-everton-in-race-for-starlet-junior-malanda/93064/#JP0oKOpcT72k0hzX.99

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Newcastle Given Bent All Clear

Newcastle are free to make an unrivaled bid for Aston Villa striker Darren Bent after Fulham pulled out of the race for his signature.

Bent played just 16 Premier League matches last season, eight of those from the bench, as he became unwanted by the Birmingham club.

Now Newcastle could snap up the striker following contract talks with Fulham broke down, the Sun reports.

According to the paper, £80,000 per week was too big a price for Fulham manager Martin Jol and now Alan Pardew is favourite to take Bent away from Villa for an estimated £5million.

Having signed from Sunderland for £25million in 2011, Bent received some success alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor at Villa, scoring 18 goals from 38 matches before the 2012/13 season.

However, the arrival of Christian Benteke saw Bent spend most of last season on the sidelines, scoring just three times from 800 minutes of Premier League football.

A move to Newcastle would reignite a partnership with Pardew, who managed Bent at Charlton between 2005 and 2007.

The Sun believe Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis is on Villa's radar after ensuring a number of their players, including Benteke, would remain at the club for the next few seasons.



http://www.sportsvibe.co.uk/news/football/newcastle-given-bent-all-clear-26674/?

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Bent a No-Go
   
Any hopes Fulham Football Club had of luring the out-of-favour Aston Villa striker, Darren Bent, to Craven Cottage look to have died.

Reports in the tabloid press this morning would seem to indicate that Bent is now bound for Newcastle with it now being implied that Fulham were very reluctant to meet his salary demands with his current deal, at Aston Villa, being worth something close to £80,000 a week.

Even though we`ve had a change of ownership and that there are, supposedly, funds available for transfers, Bent`s salary makes this one deal, we are told, that is classified as too costly!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=326004#ixzz2a1kKXwoI

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Gargano Targeted
   
With Darren Bent seemingly declared as a buy that, courtesy of his salary demands to be too costly, speculation is prevalent that Fulham are set to spend some cash on somebody else.

It`s being reported that we`re in direct competition with the Portuguese outfit, Benfica, to bring the Uruguayan player Walter Gargano to Craven Cottage.

Gargano is a midfielder, 28 years of age, who is on the books of Napoli but who spent last season out on loan at Inter Milan. No price is, as of yet, mentioned, but we`ll endeavour to keep you abreast of any developments.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=326005#ixzz2a1ksMo5V

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Fulham Weigh up Audacious Move for Experienced Uruguayan International

Cottagers are desperate to add more cover in midfield for next season.

Fulham are interested in signing highly rated Napoli midfield player Walter Gargano this summer, according to reports on talkSPORT.co.uk.

The experienced Uruguay international has been with the Serie A high flyers for the past six seasons now, having originally arrived in Naples from Uruguayan outfit Danubio in June 2007 for a fee of just £2 million.


And in the intervening six-year period, the 29-year-old has gone on to establish himself as being one of the most effective and consistent holding midfield players operating in Serie A, although the player did fall out of favour last season and was shipped out on loan to Inter Milan.

Gargano still managed though to feature in 36 matches overall in all competitions at San Siro, including in 27 league contests for Inter, but the Uruguayan has since returned to Southern Italy.

However, Fulham head coach Martin Jol believes that he can persuade the defensive midfield player to swap Serie A for the Premier League this summer, with the west London club themselves in dire need of more bodies in the centre of the park next season having already allowed the likes of midfield players Simon Davies, Mahamadou Diarra and Chris Baird to all depart Craven Cottage so far this close season.



http://www.caughtoffside.com/2013/07/24/fulham-weigh-up-audacious-move-for-experienced-uruguayan-international/?

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Gervinho future in the balance as Arsenal demand £8.6m from Roma for forward

Arsenal have told Roma to increase their bid for striker Gervinho. Roma have offered £6.8m and Arsenal want £8.6m.

Roma striker Pablo Osvaldo has also been discussed. Fulham are also keen on Osvaldo.

Arsenal scout Everton Gushiken watched Atletico Mineiro midfielder Bernard against Olimpia last night in the Copa Libertadores final.


On his way: Roma want to bring Gervinho to Italy from Arsenal


Swap deal: Pablo Osvaldo (left) could be included in a potential Gervinho transfer


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2377112/Gervinho-latest-Arsenal-want-8-6m-Roma.html#ixzz2a1lc1PSG
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

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Fulham one step closer to signing Pablo Osvaldo
FULHAM hope to pull off the £8.6m signing of Roma striker Pablo Osvaldo this week.

The Cottagers held talks with Roma's sporting director Walter Sabatini in London on Tuesday and expect to complete the deal within days.

Valencia are also interested in Osvaldo, who has been capped eight times by Italy, while Southampton have also inquired about him.

But the 27-year-old is understood to favour a move to Fulham, who have already presented a proposal to his agent.

Osvaldo has a reputation as a hot-head and was kicked out of the Italy squad recently for criticising Roma coach Aurelio Andreazzoli.

Fulham boss Martin Jol has already brought in Fernando Amorebieta, Derek Boateng and Maarten Stekelenburg this summer.

But he is still hunting for new faces.



http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/328509/Fulham-one-step-closer-to-signing-Pablo-Osvaldo?

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Fulham close in on Birmingham City youngster Foday Nabay

Birmingham City manager Lee Clark has expressed his disappointment at the loss of teenage midfielder Foday Nabay, who has been granted his wish to join Fulham due to family reasons.

The 40-year-old, who spent six years as a player at Craven Cottage, said that the Sierra Leone-born player was in his plans for the first team this season but wished him all the best at his former stomping ground.

"I made it abundantly clear to Foday in several meetings with him that he had the potential to become the youngest-ever player to play for Birmingham City Football Club's first team this season at the age of 15," Clark told the club's official website.

"That was how highly I rate him and how highly the club rate him. He's going to a super club in Fulham because I know them very well having spent seven great years there myself but I just wish we could have had the time to make him part of my current group.

"It wasn't to be, he's made the decision, we wish him all the best for future and we'll move forward."

The England Under-16 international joined the Blues' academy in 2006.



http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/birmingham-city/transfer-talk/news/fulham-close-in-on-birmingham-youngster_95034.html

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Sascha's Bremen Hope

After a successful tour of Costa Rica, defender Sascha Riether is excited to be heading to Germany to play our next friendly against Werder Bremen on Sunday.

- Missing the Cottage already? Get your tickets for the friendlies against Real Betis and Parma now.

The tour certainly played its part in improving our players' fitness and Riether believes that having everyone together will make a difference as the new campaign draws closer.

"It was great, lots of nice weather, no-one was injured and we were able to train well," he told the official website. "We had some good sessions, some good games and overall I think we did well.

"Everybody was able to train and take part in the sessions and really that is the most important thing. Now we need a lot of games to prepare for the new Barclays Premier League season."

There will certainly be plenty to keep us busy as we host Real Betis (Monday 5th August, 8pm) and Parma (Saturday 10th August, 3pm) at Craven Cottage ahead of our game away at Sunderland on 17th August, but before then we travel to face Bremen at the Weser-Stadion on Sunday 28th July (3pm CEST).

Twice-capped Germany international Riether played in the Bundesliga for SC Freiburg, VfL Wolfsburg and FC Cologne for a decade before moving to England and is keen to repeat his goalscoring antics the last time he was in Bremen.

"I know many of the Bremen players as I have played against them many times in Germany," he said. "I am looking forward to the game and it's nice to play against a German team. It's a lovely stadium and a good team; it's great preparation for the new season.

"The last goal I scored [in Germany] was in Bremen, against Bremen. I hope, perhaps, that I can do the same again. It was a bit like the Sunderland goal - from about two metres out - but a goal is a goal and I'll take it."

Any Fulham fans who are planning to travel out to Germany to watch the team this weekend can certainly rest safe in the knowledge that the region has Sascha's approval.

"Bremen is a nice city," he added. "They have a new stadium, it's a big stadium, and they are a good side so we will have a good game. Every player needs 90 minutes to get fit and it will certainly be a good test for us."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/july/25/sascha-bremen-hope?

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Fulham one step closer to signing Serie A striker

Fulham are confident of completing the signing of Roma striker Pablo Osvaldo this week, according to the Daily Star.

The Cottagers have reportedly held talks with Roma's sporting director Walter Sabatini in London on Tuesday over a potential £8.6million signing, which the club expect to complete the deal within days.

Although late interest from Southampton and La Liga side Valencia has emerged, Fulham are still the favourites to land the 27-year-old, who has been capped eight times by Italy.

Martin Jol will be aware of the potential risks that may come with signing the player however.

Osvaldo has a reputation as something of a hothead back in his homeland, and was recently kicked out of the Italian squad recently for openly criticising Roma coach Aurelio Andreazzoli.

The comments have left the forward's future at the Serie A club in real doubt, and he is said to be keen on the move to West London that Fulham have already proposed to his agent.

The striker would be Martin Jol's fourth major signing of the summer. The Fulham manager has already brought in Fernando Amorebieta, Derek Boateng and Maarten Stekelenburg and is understood to still be hunting for new faces.

Manchester City had previously shown an interest in the forward, who is set to leave Roma with a record of 27 goals in 55 league appearances.


http://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/fulham/fulham-one-step-closer-to-signing-serie-a-striker

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Saints' Osvaldo hopes are hijacked

Fulham are reportedly preparing an £8.6million bid to sign Southampton target, AS Roma's Italy international striker Pablo Osvaldo.

Cottagers boss Martin Jol has lined up the 27-year-old forward after pulling out of the race to sign Aston Villa's out-of-favour hitman Darren Bent earlier in the week. And reports claim the Londoners have already approached Roma's sporting director Walter Sabatini in the capital this week with a view to coming to an agreement for Osvaldo. Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino, who worked with Osvaldo at Espanyol, has been heavily linked with a move for the player, who has scored 27 goals in 55 league appearances at the Stadio Olimpico, but it seems the Cottagers are now leading the race. Jol will be aware that Osvaldo does have a reputation given that he was omitted from the Italian squad for openly criticising Roma coach Aurelio Andreazzoli following the side's Coppa Italia final defeat against Rome rivals Lazio at the end of last season. However it seems he is keen to make him the fourth signing of the summer following on from Fernando Amorebieta, Derek Boateng and Maarten Stekelenburg.



Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/southampton/saints-osvaldo-hopes-are-hijacked-1609813.html?

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Michael Jackson statue a problem for new Fulham owner

One of the trickiest problems facing new Fulham owner Shahid Khan following his takeover is what to do with the statue of Michael Jackson erected by his predecessor Mohamed Fayed.

The statue, which was unveiled in 2011, has been a subject of debate with fans ever since and Khan told the Sun that it has become an unexpected distraction.

"You have to take a deep breath and reflect," he admitted. "I'm in a Lotus pose and doing my yoga meditation. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal to the fans or the chairman.

"We have to preserve and respect history but we also have to move forward. I am going to reflect on it, listen to the fans and then decide."

Fayed maintained earlier this month that the statue would stay, jokingly threatening to shave off Khan's trademark moustache if he removed it.



Read more at http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/224613.html#XQ4I54MDiTkVm4Rw.99

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Six countries in four years - Fulham's ex-Dutch international starlet signs for Polish outfit

Collins John can add Poland to a list that has taken him from the United States to Iran via Azerbaijan.

When Fulham snapped up talented Dutch youngster Collins John away from FC Twente in a deal worth £600,000 to play alongside John Collins, his reverse namesake, it seemed a snip when he started to fire in all manner of goals.

He was even in the running for goal of the season after this mesmerising volley against Middlesbrough in 2006:

He was soon being touted as the next big thing in Dutch football and recognised at international level.

He was a member of the Dutch side that won the European Under-21 championship in 2006 along with Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Ron Vlaar and Michel Vorm. He had already made his senior debut before that time; winning four caps as a teenager in 2004 among company such as Ruud Van Nistlerooy, Patrick Kluivert and a young Wesley Sneijder.

But the player had a troubled past. Originally from Liberia he and his family, including brothers Paddy and Ola who play for AGOVV Apeldoorn and Benfica respectively, fled to Holland after the tragic murder of their father in the Liberian Civil War.

And John has always suffered it appears with his personal demons on top of what has been a career perpetually disrupted by lack of fitness and injury.

And his struggles to settle down are visible in his career post Fulham.

Released in 2009 he has since gone on to play for six different clubs in six different countries over the course of four years.

He spent time with Roeselare in Belgium, the Chicago Fire in the USA, Gabala of Azerbaijan, Mes Sarcheshmeh of Iran and finally found himself back in England with Barnet.

As with most of his clubs post Craven Cottage his time at Underhill was unmemorable. He again featured in just a handful of games due to a thigh problem and the club released him in January this year.

Well now the one time starlet, still only 27-years-old, is on the move once again; adding Poland to his list of nations he has played in.

John reportedly signed for Polish Estraklasa side Piast Gliwice yesterday on a one-year deal.

Piast had a good 2012-13; finishing fourth in Poland's highest division in the most successful season in the clubs history.

John will now hope his new team overcome a 2-1 deficit against Azeri side Qarabag this evening and qualify for the main stages of the Europa League.

But with his recent history of false dawns and failed new beginnings not many will hold out hope of Polish redemption.

But if he can obtain anything like the form he occasionally demonstrated for The Cottagers ... then Poland could be the saving of him.



http://hereisthecity.com/2013/07/25/mn-six-countries-in-four-years-fulhams-ex-dutch-international-st/?

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Fulham On Verge of Sealing £6.8m Signing of Prolific Serie A Striker Pablo Osvaldo



Cottagers look like beating Valencia to Italy forward's signature.

Fulham are said to be increasingly confident of completing the shock £8.6 million capture of highly rated AS Roma front man Pablo Osvaldo by the end of the week, according to reports in the Daily Star.

The Italy international has also been attracting interest from the likes of Liga outfit Valencia, however, it is understood that the 27-year-old would prefer a move to the Premier League and Craven Cottage this summer instead.

And with the west London club having recently been bought by US tycoon Shahid Khan, the Cottagers have the financial backing to land Osvaldo in what would be a real statement of intent by the Londoners were they able to seal such a move.

Osvaldo has been in the Italian capital for the past two seasons now, with the Serie A giants having signed the striker from Espanyol in August 2011 for a whopping 17.5m euros, with the player going on to net an impressive 28 goals in just 57 matches in all competitions for Roma in that time, including 27 strikes in only 55 league outings.

However, the powerful forward's days in Serie A now appear to be numbered, with a deal for the Buenos Aires-born attacker expected to be completed within the coming days.



http://www.caughtoffside.com/2013/07/25/fulham-on-verge-of-sealing-6-8m-signing-of-prolific-serie-a-striker-pablo-osvaldo/?