Thursday Fulham Stuff (30/01/14)...

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Fulham 'closing in' on Kostas Mitroglou transfer – lowdown on the Olympiakos striker


Kostas Mitroglou, right, takes on the mighty PSG in the Champions League (Picture: Reuters)
Fulham could be about to pull off one of the coups of the transfer window, if reports claiming they are in advanced talks with Kostas Mitroglou prove accurate.

There is talk of an £11million deal being close and speculation his arrival could open the Craven Cottage exit door for Dimitar Berbatov – who is again being linked with a Tottenham return.

But why would Mitroglou be such an important signing and what do we know about him? Here's a few things you might like to know

Wanted man
He's been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool in recent times having caught the eye for Olympiakos.

Nice trick
He became the first Greek ever to score a Champions league hat-trick when bagging three against Anderlecht earlier this season.

As well as scoring hat-tricks, he apparently also collects hats, which is a little odd but harmless enough.

Sharp shooter
Known as an eccentric character, Mitroglou's goal celebrations are worth watching – they often involve him pretending to fire a gun, earning him the nickname 'Pistolero'.

Brought up in Germany, the shooting antics are down to top scorers over there winning cannon statues rather than golden boots and the like.

It lands him in hot water sometimes though, in this video he gets booked for his gun-based antics after scoring Panthrakikos.

Player booked for shooting celebration - Panthrakikos vs Olympiakos

A bit of a handful
Undoubtedly has talent but has been accused of being untrainable. A confident chap, managers have not always found it easy to have Mitroglou around and he was frozen out for a spell under Ernesto Valverde after insisting on taking a vital penalty when not the designated spot-kick man and missing.

Fronting up
Can play as an out-and-out No.9 or as a second striker. Adept from set-pieces too and has a scored a few lovely free-kicks.

He's pretty prolific, with 21 goals from 23 appearances already this term, and he's no stranger to scoring great goals, have a look at this little beauty.

Kostas Mitroglou â–º Amazing Goal vs Veria 6-0

Stat's good
The 6ft 2in frontman, nicknamed Pistolero because of his sharp-shooting abilities in front of goal, has 28 international caps with eight goals at the highest level.


http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/29/fulham-closing-in-on-kostas-mitroglou-transfer-lowdown-on-the-olympiakos-striker-4281684/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham chasing deal for Greece striker

Fulham are hoping to complete the signing of Olympiacos striker Konstantinos Mitroglou before Friday's transfer deadline.

The Greece international, 25, is expected to move to Craven Cottage in a deal worth around £11m.

There has been speculation that the signing could pave the way for Dimitar Berbatov to return to Tottenham.

Berbatov, whose Fulham contract expires at the end of the season, has indicated that he would like to leave the club.

Spurs have not made an approach for the 32-year-old Bulgarian, who had a two-year spell at White Hart Lane before being sold to Manchester United for more than £30m in 2008.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger recently denied reports he was interested in signing Berbatov.


http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/whites-close-in-on-striker-but-no-approach-from-spurs-for-berbatov-wls-football

[WhiteJC]

 
Taarabt - Milan Bound?
   
Yesterday it became public knowledge, via the press, Fulham Football Club were looking to offload Adel Taarabt before the transfer window closes.

The ideal situation being that he`s off the wage bill when the window slams shut!

Today there is the suggestion, contained within the media; Taarabt is interesting the Italian side AC Milan.

If a move to the Serie A side were to materialize it would mean Taarabt returning to his parent club, Queens Park Rangers, before then leaving these shores for Italy.

We`ll keep you informed if there are any further developments


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=347492#ixzz2rorClJDc

[WhiteJC]

 
That Defeat at Swansea
   
It was a familiar pattern down at the Liberty Stadium as Fulham slipped to yet another defeat.

Despite having the better of some periods of play, we couldn`t finish the chances we created and fell victim to two strikes that ended up in the back of our net, courtesy of deflections.

Rene Meulensteen, who hasn`t presided over a Premier League win since New Years Day, tried to remain positive after the game, commenting to the media,

"I thought we should have come away with something considering the first half."

"It took a shot with two deflections to give them the lead and another deflection for the second which left us with a mountain to climb."

"We had great chances in the first half. The first one with Hangeland was really an open goal and we have to take those opportunities"

Yes we do, but we`re not and our continuing poor form is, I believe, going to land us in the mire. The January transfer window has a few more days to run, Fulham Football Club need to do some serious business before it slams firmly shut otherwise, despite best endeavours, we`re going to plunge through that trap door and into the Championship and then we really will be in the brown stuff!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=347494#ixzz2rorQE9OA

[WhiteJC]

 
All Greek to Me
   
The tabloid press has a common thread this morning.

It would appear, according to the two biggest tabloids this country has, Fulham Football Club are closing in on a striker.

Apparently we`re on the verge of splashing £11.5 million on twenty-five year old Konstantinos Mitroglou

Mitroglou is on the books of the Greek club Olympiakos and has scored 17 goals for his club already this season.

Last season, as his club qualified for the Champions League, Mitroglou scored 20 goals.

But can he cut the mustard in the Premier League?

If he signs on the dotted line I`d suggest we`re about to find out!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=347495#ixzz2rorahTXY

[WhiteJC]

 
Man Utd On General Sale

Tickets for our trip to Old Trafford on Sunday 9th February (4pm) are now available to buy on General Sale. Supporters can buy up to four tickets each online at fulhamfc.com or by calling 0843 208 1234.


Free tickets for Junior Season Ticket Holders and Members

The Club will cover the cost of all tickets for our Junior Season Ticket Holders and Members. These tickets must be obtained in conjunction with at least one adult ticket (£46) and can only be booked over the phone or in person from the Ticket Office.


Free travel for Fulham fans

The Club will also operate free coaches to this match for ticket purchasers. Travel reservations can be made by calling 0843 208 1234 at the same time as, or after purchasing, a match ticket. Coaches will leave Craven Cottage at 9am and Motspur Park at 8.30am.
Ticket Info


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/29/man-utd-on-general-sale?

[WhiteJC]

 
Does Konstantinos Mitroglou have the stomach for a relegation battle – in depth scouting report

Oh god....



http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2014/01/29/does-konstantinos-mitroglou-have-the-stomach-for-a-relegation-battle-in-depth-scouting-report/#like-9996

[WhiteJC]

 
Swansea City's form should soar after confidence-boosting – if lucky – win over Fulham

When you are a little short of form or confidence it is often said that you don't really care where the win comes from, it just needs to be there.

You are not supposed to worry about how the crucial goal goes in as long as it does – and you know that just a little piece of luck can make all the difference to a league season.

Maybe for us last night that dose of luck came our way and got us the three points that we so desperately needed to move us a little further away from the relegation zone to what almost looks like a position of comfort.

There was little danger when Jonjo Shelvey hit his shot in the second half but a massive deflection wrong-footed the keeper to give the Swans the lead. But, as I said earlier, we take them anyway at the moment and the most important point out of last night was that win.

Make no mistake, though – we deserved the victory, but it was interesting to see the confidence levels rise after the first goal went in and the Swans pressed on in the second half.

That confidence is what we need to take from the game into the challenges coming against West Ham and Cardiff, with the belief that there are six more points there for the taking which would give us some real breathing space.

The next game now cannot come quick enough

The second goal also seemed to have that degree of luck, but it was a top delivery from Jonathan De Guzman to find Chico Flores in the first place so – again – you will take any luck that you get.

I always maintained during our difficult run at the end of December and January that we were not a bad team and that results would come. It may have taken a big deflection to start those results, but I firmly believe we will push on from here and come the end of February the league table will show you exactly what our abilities are – not a reflection of a series of difficult fixtures.

And so it was plus points all round last night, including the return from injury of some key players and, with more to come, there is definitely a reason to be optimistic. The next game now cannot come quick enough.


http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/29/swansea-citys-form-should-soar-after-confidence-boosting-if-lucky-win-over-fulham-4281371/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham are set to make a late move for West Ham United midfielder Ravel Morrison


Picture: Action Images
Fulham will look to make a final bid to sign West Ham United midfielder Ravel Morrison before the January transfer window shuts on Friday night.

The Irons have reportedly told Morrison that he will not be allowed to leave Upton Park this month unless a bid of £10m is submitted.

That may prove too much for the Cottagers who value the England Under-21 international at around £6m.


http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/sport/westham/westhamnews/10971670._/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Tottenham's Lewis Holtby keen on Fulham switch that could pave way for Dimitar Berbatov return
Fulham can free up cash for Lewis Holtby's wages and could save themselves paying a loan fee by allowing Dimitar Berbatov to return to Spurs for the final five months of his contract

Lewis Holtby is interested in a pre-transfer deadline move to Fulham that could pave the way for Dimitar Berbatov returning to Tottenham until the end of the season.

Fulham are willing to let on-loan Adel Taarabt make a shock permanent switch to AC Milan, which would allow the club to take another domestic loan before this transfer window shuts.

Tottenham midfielder Holtby is high on Fulham's list of midfield targets and the German international has not ruled out the possibility of making a temporary move across London.

It is understood Spurs have been demanding any club that takes Holtby covers his entire £75,000-a-week wages, which has put some suitors off.

But Fulham can free up cash for Holtby's wages and could save themselves paying a loan fee by allowing Berbatov to return to Spurs for the final five months of his contract.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is interested in a cut-price deal to re-sign Berbatov until the end of the season, with Jermain Defoe due to move to Toronto FC next month.

Levy will have to agree to take over Berbatov's £80,000-a-week Fulham wages to take the 32-year-old back to White Hart Lane and it is understood the Bulgarian is interested in the prospect.

Fulham could replace Berbatov with Olympiakos striker Konstantinos Mitroglou, who is valued at more than £12m.

Holtby's former club Shalke have shown an interest in re-signing the 23-year-old, along with Borussia Dortmund, Stoke and Aston Villa.

Other than looking at a deal for Holtby, Fulham are also weighing up a second bid for West Ham's Ravel Morrison.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/10604682/Tottenhams-Lewis-Holtby-keen-on-Fulham-switch-that-could-pave-way-for-Dimitar-Berbatov-return.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham in talks to sign £11m Greece striker Mitroglou



Fulham are in talks to sign Olympiakos striker Konstantinos Mitroglou.

The 25-year-old Greece international will cost around £11m and the Premier League strugglers hope to complete the deal before Friday's transfer deadline.

The 6ft 1in Mitroglou has been in prolific form this season, scoring 21 goals in 23 appearances for club and country, including four hat-tricks.

He scored three as Greece beat Romania in the World Cup qualifying play-offs to secure their place at Brazil 2014.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25944411?

[WhiteJC]

 
Cauley Woodrow recalled by Fulham from Southend United

CAULEY Woodrow has returned to Fulham after the Cottagers decided to terminate his loan spell at Southend United.

The 19-year-old striker scored four goals in 21 appearances for the Shrimpers.

But Fulham have opted to call him back after he failed to become a regular in the starting line-up at Roots Hall.



http://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/10971817._/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Holtby keen to leave Spurs as Fulham hover - agent


Lewis Holtby can't get a game at Spurs. Photo: PA
Lewis Holtby's agent expects his client to leave Tottenham before the end of the transfer window.

Holtby moved to Tottenham from Schalke 12 months ago, but has so far been unable to hold down a regular place in the starting XI.

Holtby played in a variety of positions under Andre Villas-Boas, but has only started one game since Tim Sherwood was installed as head coach and now the German wants to leave.

"My feeling is that he will leave but it's not in our hands at the moment," Holtby's agent Marcus Noack told Press Association Sport.

"Tottenham have to agree to let him go first. We hope to find a solution in the next couple of days."

Any hopes of Holtby securing a move away from Tottenham appear to have been scuppered by the club's valuation of the player.

Although Spurs only paid £1.25million for the player a year ago, Holtby's camp claim the north London club want between £8million and £10million for the 23-year-old.

"I think it will be a loan because it is difficult for anyone to buy Lewis," Noack added.

Borussia Dortmund enquired about Holtby's availability earlier this month, but Press Association Sport understands last year's Champions League finalists have since cooled their interest in the midfielder.

Schalke, where Holtby spent three and a half years before heading to England, are interested in re-signing the German international, but the Bundesliga club may have to sell players - like Arsenal target Julian Draxler - before they can bring any new faces in.

Former Germany defender Christoph Metzelder claimed on Twitter that he had seen Holtby in Dusseldorf - near to where Schalke and Dortmund are based - but Spurs insist the player is in London as he is in the squad for Wednesday's Premier League clash against Manchester City.

Press Association Sport understands Holtby would prefer to stay in England, anyway. Fulham have recently been linked with a temporary move for the midfielder.



http://www.itv.com/sport/football/article/2014-01-29/holtby-keen-to-leave-spurs-as-fulham-hover-agent/?

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Fulham Doing Business with Spurs!
   
Speculation doing the round this afternoon intimates that Fulham Football Club is keen on the Spurs midfielder, Lewis Holtby.

Seemingly, Fulham are hoping to bring the 23 year-old to Craven Cottage, albeit on loan, by letting Dimitar Berbatov with a return to White Hart Lane, a move that had been suggested earlier in the transfer window.

It remains to be seen whether this move goes through before the transfer window closes at 23:00 hours on Friday or whether it is merely just speculation.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=347543#ixzz2routoKFR

[WhiteJC]

 
AC Milan Set To Sign Fulham Winger

Fulham wide man Adel Taarabt is set to join AC Milan as the Rossoneri continue their busy winter transfer window.

January has already seen the arrival of Michael Essien, Keisuke Honda and Adil Rami at Milanello and the Moroccan international is edging ever closer to joining the new recruits.

According to Tuttomercartoweb.com Taarabt will be in Italy tomorrow to confirm the deal and barring any last second drama, he should be a Rossoneri player by the close of the transfer window.

The latest reports claim he will join Milan on loan with an option to buy him permanently for €7 million at the end of the season.

It remains unclear as to whether Diavolo defender Cristian Zaccardo will be included in the deal for the former QPR man or if the Lombardy club will attempt to offload the Italian elsewhere.


http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2014/01/ac-milan-set-to-sign-fulham-winger/?

[WhiteJC]

 
AC MILAN SIGN TAARABT ON LOAN

As reported by Italian media today, AC Milan have officialy agreed to bring in on loan Adel Taarabt from Premiership side, Fulham. There have been some meetings during past days between these two clubs, and they've finally agreed on terms.

Initially it was Zaccardo-Taarabt swap that was talked about, but it was never confirmed. Reports now saying that Fulham accepted loan bid from Milan, and that the player will arrive tonight at Milanello Sports Center. Fulham loaned Taarabt from QPR last summer, but saw little from the player, as he played only twelve league games so far.

Taarabt will sign a loan contract for the rest of the season. Fulham will receive no fee from this deal.

Adel Taarabt is a 24yrs old attacking midfielder/winger. He plays for Moroccan national team. Last season at Queens Park Rangers he played over 30 games, scoring five goals, and assisting five more. He will be third AC Milan midfield reinforcement this term, as Honda and Essien already signed their contracts earlier in January.


http://www.sportpulse.net/content/ac-milan-sign-taarabt-loan-13470?

[WhiteJC]

 
Holtby eyes Fulham move as Tottenham bid to bring Berbatov back in loan swap deal

Lewis Holtby appears to be pinning his hopes of a pre-deadline move on Fulham after Borussia Dortmund and Schalke both shied away from the financial implications of taking him back to the Bundesliga.

Dortmund, in desperate need of reinforcements after being rocked by a worsening injury crisis, and Schalke, who were reluctant to sell him to Tottenham in the first place, have both expressed an interest and enquired about signing him, either permanently or on loan.

They were given no encouragement over a temporary arrangement and quoted a fee of around £7million for a sale, which, allied to £75,000-a-week wages, proved too rich for both.


Keen to leave: Lewis Holtby could join Fulham after failing to hold down a place at Tottenham this season

Moving on: Holtby (right) has been linked a return to Germany but looks set to remain in England
Fulham remain keen and hold a bargaining tool that could help secure a deal in Dimitar Berbatov, who could return to White Hart Lane and see out the final few months of his contract with Tottenham in a loan swop with industrious midfielder Holtby.

Holtby's agent Marcus Noack admitted he expects his client to leave Tottenham before the end of the transfer window.

'My feeling is that he will leave but it's not in our hands at the moment,' he said.

'Tottenham have to agree to let him go first. We hope to find a solution in the next couple of days.

'I think it will be a loan because it is difficult for anyone to buy Lewis.'


Return: Dimitar Berbatov (right) could make a shock move back to Tottenham in a swap deal with Holtby
Dortmund enquired about Holtby's availability earlier this month, but last year's Champions League finalists have since cooled their interest in the midfielder.

Schalke, where Holtby spent three and a half years before heading to England, are interested in re-signing the German international, but the Bundesliga club may have to sell players - like Arsenal target Julian Draxler - before they can bring any new faces in.

Former Germany defender Christoph Metzelder claimed on Twitter that he had seen Holtby in Dusseldorf - near to where Schalke and Dortmund are based - but Spurs insist the player is in London as he is in the squad for Wednesday's Premier League clash against Manchester City.

Sportsmail understands Holtby would prefer to stay in England, anyway.


Hero: Berbatov enjoyed a successful spell at White Hart Lane before joining Manchester United in 2008


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2548211/Holtby-eyes-Fulham-Tottenham-bid-Berbatov-loan-swap-deal.html#ixzz2rovxsS1C
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Richardson labels Southampton clash as must-win for Fulham

Fulham midfielder Kieran Richardson believes Saturday's meeting with Southampton is a must-win game for the relegation-threatened club.

Rene Meulensteen's men sit 17th in the Premier League and missed out on an opportunity to pull away from the relegation zone on Tuesday when they were beaten 2-0 at Swansea City.

With matches against Manchester United and Liverpool on the horizon, Richardson feels it is imperative Fulham take maximum points from visiting Southampton this weekend.

"We can't dwell on Swansea as we've got a big home game coming up which is a must-win for us," said the former England international.

"We've got to focus on Southampton now. It's a massive game and we're going to need great home support on Saturday.

"We know we've got to roll our sleeves up and put a big performance in because we owe the fans that.

"Like I said, it's a must-win three points for us."

Fulham were beaten 2-0 in the reverse fixture at St Mary's Stadium in October.


http://uk.soccerway.com/news/2014/January/29/richardson-labels-southampton-clash-as-must-win-for-fulham/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Scouting Report: Are AC Milan Making a Mistake Signing Adel Taarabt?

Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen has confirmed AC Milan is set to begin discussions with Queens Park Rangers loanee Adel Taarabt over a potential move, per Sky Sports, so here is a scouting report on the 24-year-old Moroccan international.



What Do Milan See In Taarabt?

When Taarabt has played for Fulham, he has only started 58.3 percent of Premier League games on a team that has scored 22 goals in 23 league games.

This is a red flag for Milan management, as they need to know he is behind Pajtim Kasami and Seattle Sounders loanee Clint Dempsey.

Prior to this season, Kasami, who had a stint at Palermo, played nine league games for Fulham.

Dempsey is going through a rough patch as he has scored one goal on 53 shots in combined Major League Soccer and Premier League play.

Taarabt has played behind the No. 9, but he also started in the false nine position during the 4-2 defeat to Manchester City.

He registered his only league assist so far in that game when he created Kieran Richardson's goal.

Last season at QPR, Taarabt started 11 league games on the left wing in what you can label as the "Cristiano Ronaldo" role, which is a free-roaming position devoid of positional discipline and defensive responsibilities.

Taarabt has seen playing time on the left wing for Fulham this season, though the first-choice left-winger is Alexander Kacaniklic, a technically astute player, who struggles to get himself involved in games—he averages 15 passes per game and has only scored once in the current Premier League campaign.

The pessimistic view Milan fans could hold is Taarabt has not established himself as an undisputed starter despite Fulham not having any world-beaters in his positions—what use is he to Milan?

A more optimistic outlook is he will be handy to Milan manager Clarence Seedorf by being an option centrally and on the left flank as an inverted winger, therefore reinforcing squad depth.

Seedorf used a 4-2-3-1 in a 2-1 win over Cagliari, so Taarabt could be an alternative in the left attacking midfield slot.

Can Taarabt Dominate Europe's Elite Leagues?

Taarabt has always been earmarked for greatness.


"He isn't in the same league as [Zinedine] Zidane yet because he was a genius, but one day he [Taarabt] could be up there because he's got that ability," Harry Redknapp said in 2011, per Declan Taylor at the Telegraph. "He [Taarabt] has got that much talent, it's just whether or not his head is right."

Taarabt showed his genius during the 2010-11 Championship season when he scored 19 times and registered 11 assists en route to helping QPR seal promotion.

He was named the Football League player of the year, but since stepping back into the Premier League, having failed to crack it on his first attempt as a Tottenham Hotspur player, Taarabt has flopped.

He has played 70 Premier League games, netted seven goals on 215 shots and registered eight assists.

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney has produced more this season—nine goals and nine assists—than Taarabt's attacking output in three combined Premier League seasons at QPR and Fulham.

So what is holding Taarabt back?

Bad attitude.

"He will be in the attacking third when we are defending for our lives," then QPR captain Sean Derry said, per BBC Sport. "You have to bite your tongue at certain times but he is the maverick in our team."

This is not the first time a teammate has lambasted Taarabt's work ethic.

"If I was Adel and had Adel's ability, I would not want to be coming up short having not worked hard enough," Joey Barton said, per Absolute Radio's Rock 'n' Roll Football (h/t the Telegraph). "I don't know whether that is because he doesn't work hard enough or that he tends to sulk."

Redknapp, Taarabt's manager at QPR, was happy to get rid of a dressing room cancer, per the Daily Mail:

With perfect timing, Adel Taarabt promptly got up to his old tricks. He turned up late for our training camp in Devon so we sent him home.

There were the usual excuses but we're not standing for it any more. There has to be a different attitude if Rangers are to return to the Premier League.

I know some of these players think they are better than this division but I've been down there and I know there are teams and players that will eat you alive if you are not fully committed.

My priority was to get rid of the troublemakers. Get rid of them before they got rid of us.

Taarabt did not succeed with Spurs, QPR and Fulham in the Premier League, so why sign with Milan?

One career suggestion would be to sign with an Eredivisie club as the attacking style of Dutch football would suit Taarabt.

Instead, Taarabt deludedly believes Milan is a stepping stone.

"[AC] Milan aren't going through a glorious period now, and they're no longer a part of the top clubs," Taarabt said in 2012, per La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t ESPN FC). "However, if I joined Milan then it would open up the doors for me to great clubs like Real Madrid and Barca."

If Taarabt fails epically at Milan, it could be the humbling he needs.



http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1940722-scouting-report-are-ac-milan-making-a-mistake-signing-adel-taarabt?

[WhiteJC]

 
Transfer news: Fulham agree fee for Olympiakos striker Kostas Mitroglou

Sky Sports understands that Fulham have agreed a fee with Olympiakos for striker Kostas Mitroglou.

Fulham have been holding talks with Olympiakos throughout the week and edged closer to a deal after settling on a fee, believed to be in the region of £12.5million.

Mitroglou's arrival would give the Cottagers some much-needed firepower in their battle against relegation.

The Greek international has scored 17 goals in 19 games for Olympiakos this season and Fulham will be hoping he can make a big impact as they are languishing in the drop-zone after Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at Swansea.



http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/9140649?