Tuesday Fulham Stuff (31/01/17)...

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McClaren explains why Derby County offered Chris Martin new deal

Steve McClaren explains why he offered Martin a new contract.

Steve McClaren has outlined why Derby County felt it was important to offer striker Chris Martin a new contract.

Martin is on a season-long loan at Fulham, who have an option to buy the player in the summer.

McClaren was keen for the loan to be terminated in this transfer window and for Martin to return to Derby, but there is no recall clause in the deal.

Martin has now signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the Rams and will return at the end of the campaign.

McClaren is a big fan of Martin and wants him as part of his squad. He said; "We had to do a contract because Chrissy had a year left.

"He could have sat that out, he also had an option in his loan and so that could have been taken up, and still can, but we wanted to make a commitment to Chrissy and we wanted a commitment from Chrissy to us."

He added: "I think it was appropriate to do it in January just to make sure we have him come next pre-season. So we know we are planning not just for the next few months but for next season. I want Chrissy Martin here next season.

"He is a goal scorer, and you need to score goals if you are going to be successful. All I know is that when I was here previously and worked with Chrissy, he scored goals.

"Since he has gone to Fulham all he has done is score goals, and that is what we need."


Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/mcclaren-explains-why-derby-county-offered-chris-martin-new-deal/story-30098111-detail/story.html#OB3zlZui1rUsTymb.99

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International ace up for sale on deadline day: Aston Villa among host of interested clubs
A HOST of English clubs could compete for Lee Chung-yong's signature on transfer deadline day.


Aston Villa, Swansea, Fulham, Burnley and Brighton are all keen on Lee Chung-yong

The South Korea international has only started four Premier League games for Crystal Palace this season.

Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol claims the 28-year-old is free to leave Selhurst Park before the transfer window slams shut.

And it is said that several sides including Aston Villa and Swansea could swoop for him.

Solhekol posted on social media: "South Korea winger Lee Chung-yong can leave Crystal Palace tomorrow.

"Possible destinations: Fulham, Burnley, Brighton, Swansea & Aston Villa."

Lee joined Palace from Bolton on transfer deadline day in the winter of 2015.

He has since played just 38 games for the London club in all competitions, scoring twice.


http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/583660/Crystal-Palace-Lee-Chung-yong-Aston-Villa-Fulham-Burnley-Brighton-Swansea

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Transfer news: Newcastle keeper swoop, Ross McCormack shock, Fulham defender wanted
STARSPORT brings you the latest news and gossip from the Championship.

Watford have joined the race to sign Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul.

The Dutch shot-stopper moved to Ajax on loan at the start of the season but couldn't win the starting job.

He's expected to leave the Eredivisie and the Magpies are willing to loan him out again.

And Sky Sports say Watford are eyeing a move for 28-year-old.

They want to sign some cover since Costel Pantilimon went down injured as he's expected to miss around a month.


Aston Villa have had no offers for Ross McCormack

There's a bit of a shock at Villa Park as Aston Villa haven't received a single enquiry over Ross McCormack.

The striker has fallen out of favour under Steve Bruce, who's willing to let him leave permanently on loan.

Bruce said: "I haven't heard anything. It's up to Ross to apologise and admit he's done something wrong. He has to apologise to me and the team. If that happens we will get on with it.

"Up until that happens, the ball is in his court. I've had no phone calls from him so unless that changes in the 24 hours....There's been no reaction from him so far."


Ryan Sessegnon is wanted by four Premier League clubs

Fulham midfielder Stefan Johansen says his club will struggle to keep hold of defender Ryan Sessegnon.

The 16-year-old has been turning heads in the Championship this season with his performances.

And he scored in the Cottagers' 4-1 win over Hull in the FA Cup on Sunday.

The Evening Standard say Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City are all interested in Sessegnon.

And Johansen said: "I hope he stays at Fulham but the way he is, it will be quite hard to keep him," he said. "It's 99 per cent certain he will be one of the top left-backs in the world.

"I see no limit for Ryan to get to that level. He is an excellent player now but he can still improve as he gets used to playing good sides.


http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/583728/Transfer-news-Newcastle-Tim-Krul-Ross-McCormack-Aston-Villa-Fulham-Ryan-Sessegnon

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Spurs transfer rumours: Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon to sign and be loaned back plus Youri Tielemans deal
The latest speculation surrounding Tottenham Hotspur on transfer deadline day

Ryan Sessegnon

Just as Spurs have been drawn away to Fulham in the FA Cup fifth round, they have also been linked with a move for their 16-year-old sensation Ryan Sessegnon.

The left-back does not turn 17 until May and has been scouted by many of the top clubs in Europe. He has been linked with all of the Premier League big boys, but rumours persist that Spurs have stolen a match and could sign him in the final day of the transfer window with the teenager heading back to Fulham on loan for the rest of the season.

Tottenham did a similar deal with MK Dons for Dele Alli a couple of years ago as they did under Martin Jol when Tom Huddlestone was a teenager at Derby County.

Mauricio Pochettino told football.london yesterday that there was "0.01" chance of a new Spurs signing on transfer deadline day, but the opportunity to steal a march on their rivals for another talented young Englishman could be too good to miss.

The youngster, who will activate his first professional contract upon his birthday, scored Fullham's third goal in their FA Cup victory against Hull City at the weekend.

His team-mate Stefan Johansen said this week: "I hope he stays at Fulham but the way he is, it will be quite hard to keep him. It's 99 per cent certain he will be one of the top left-backs in the world."


http://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/transfer-news/spurs-transfer-rumours-fulhams-ryan-12530641

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Fulham transfers: Derby end bid to recall striker
Martin to stay at Craven Cottage for the rest of the season

Derby boss Steve McClaren has given up attempts to recall Chris Martin from Fulham.

The Whites striker refused to play at the end of 2016 as he looked to force through a return to the iPro Stadium.

He missed the abandoned game against Reading, the 2-1 defeat to Brighton and the 2-1 win at Cardiff before scoring on his return against Barnsley.

Subsequent to that he missed two penalties in two games as Fulham drew at QPR and lost at Reading; he spoke to GetWestLondon after the latter to confirm he was content to stay at Craven Cottage.

That didn't stop him agreeing a new deal with the Rams and the Whites' chances of making a deal permanent in the summer appear dead and buried, although they can activate his £9million release clause.

"Fulham have made a statement saying categorically that he is staying at Fulham until the end of the season, and why not?" McClaren told the Derby Telegraph.

"He scored another goal at the weekend, and I wouldn't send him back either.

"Every effort was made by Derby County to get him back here, but unfortunately we couldn't in January but we have made sure he is back here next season."


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-transfers-derby-end-bid-12530976

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FULHAM SET TO MAKE SECOND APPROACH FOR CHAMPIONSHIP FORWARD

Sky Bet Championship outfit Fulham's interest in Preston North End striker Callum Robinson has arisen again, with the west London club desperate to add another attacker to their ranks, reports the Daily Mail.

The 21 year-old was heavily rumoured with a move to Craven Cottage earlier in the transfer window but the Lilywhites rejected a reported £2.5 million bid from their league rivals.

Preston forward Jordan Hugill has been linked with a move to Ipswich Town but now it's his team-mate Robinson who's the centre of attention at Deepdale on deadline day.

The former Aston Villa forward grabbed the headlines after scoring the opener against Arsenal in an eventual 2-1 FA Cup loss this month.

North End signed Callum Robinson on a permanent basis last summer from Aston Villa following two successful loan spells at the club, he has scored 12 goals in 64 appearances for his current team.

Fulham have been linked with a number of forwards in January as the current Chris Martin scenario has heated up; Bristol Rovers' Matty Taylor and ex-Premier League striker Robbie Keane.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-set-to-make-second-approach-for-championship-forward/

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Who is Moussa Dembele? Everything you need to know about Chelsea's £40m Deadline Day target

First and foremost he is not Belgian and he does not play in midfield for Tottenham.

Chelsea have emerged as shock suitors for the services of Celtic's 20-year-old, as reported by Matt Law on Monday evening.

The Blues have been told they will need to pay £40m to acquire the striker, but Chelsea are yet to decide on whether they will make a formal bid before the window closes.

So what would Antonio Conte be getting if he decides to push ahead with a move for Dembele? Here's our player profile with everything you need to know on the striker.

Born in France

Born to Malian parents in a small village north of Paris, Dembele came through the youth ranks of Paris Saint-Germain before joining Fulham in 2012, at the age of 16.

Dembele left the Parc des Princes without making a single first team appearance. The striker opted to live his hometown club after feeling his career path would be blocked under the newly formed cash-rich ownership of Qatar Sports Investments.

"At PSG, I found there was not much faith put in the youth academy graduates," he said.

"I would have liked to play at the Parc [des Princes] at least once but I am happy with the choice I made."

Made in Fulham

Dembele helped make an immediate impact at Fulham, starring in the club's maiden success in the Premier Academy League in his first season at Craven Cottage.

He made his competitive debut in a 3-0 defeat to West Ham in November 2013, but his first start did not come until March 2014 in a 3-1 defeat to Everton.


Moussa Dembele first made his name in the Championship at Fulham CREDIT: REX

Following relegation to the Championship at the end of that season, Dembele was limited to a handful of first team starts before striking up a formidable partnership with Ross McCormack at the start of the 2015/16 season.

Dembele netted 17 times in all competitions in what proved to be a breakout season for the young Parisian.

Became Brendan Rodgers' first signing

Moussa Dembele's goalscoring form, raw pace and power saw the Frenchman attract the interest of a host of Premier League clubs.

Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham were all rumoured to be keen on a move for the then 19-year-old but, to the surprise of many football observers Dembele opted to join former Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers, at Celtic.

Celtic were ordered to pay Fulham £500,000 in compensation following forward's free transfer to Celtic Park.

The signing represented a real coup for Rodgers as the Scottish club fought off interest from Barcelona and Tottenham to acquire the France under-21 international's signature.

Celtic hero

Dembele has made himself into a firm fan's favourite in his debut season in the SPL.

After signing a four-year-deal with the Scottish league champions in July 2016, Demeble made an immediate impact at the club by scoring a crucial 93rd-minute penalty to book Celtic's place in the final stages of qualifying for the Champions League.

Just a month later Dembele announced himself on a global stage, scoring a hat-trick on his Old Firm debut as Celtic thrashed newly promoted Rangers 5-1 at Celtic Park.

"I thought he was outstanding. He was up against Philippe Senderos, who's an experienced player, but his physicality in the game, his heading ability, his running ability and you see with his goal a wonderful touch and finish," said Rodgers of Dembele's Old Firm impact.

The prodigal Parisian has gone on to score 17 times in all competitions for Celtic, including an eye-catching performance in a Champions League defeat to Barcelona that will be remembered for an unfortunate penalty miss.

'As good as Benteke and Lukaku'

Dembele eared glowing praise earlier this year from former Aston Villa and Celtic midfielder, Stiliyan Petrov.

"Christian Benteke and Romelu Lukaku are the two who really remind me of Dembélé. They are big, powerful, put themselves about and score goals. Those two went for similar fees and Celtic should ask for £25 million. Why can't they get that? People will say, 'But he plays in Scotland'. So what? A good player is a good player, no matter what country he is playing in," said Petrov.

"I have been very impressed by the way Dembélé is developing and playing for Celtic. Brendan Rodgers is probably getting the best out of this player."

Named France Under-21 Player of the Year

Dembele's meteoric rise from Craven Cottage to impressing at the Nou Camp has helped the 20-year-old beat off stiff competition to win the French young player of the year award.

The Celtic striker pipped the likes of Anthony Martial and Kingsley Coman to award which is French football programme Telefoot.

His critical acclaim has seen the striker catch the eye of France head coach, Didier Deschamps. 

"He's had a somewhat unusual career path — but he has very many qualities. Some young players have got lost at their clubs, but Dembele is impressing now in the Champions League. He's a good player."

After scoring a brace in France under-21's 3-2 victory over England in November last year, Celtic defender Kolo Toure tipped the 20-year-old to be 'the next French superstar.'

"I see Moussa as the next star of the France team,' the Ivorian said. 'He is a great player and a great talent. What I like even more about him is his mentality. I spent a lot of time with him and he is someone who listens a lot," said the former Arsenal Invincible.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/01/31/moussa-dembele-everything-need-know-chelseas-40m-deadline-day/

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QPR set to sign Matt Smith from Fulham - Sky sources

QPR are on the brink of signing Fulham striker Matt Smith, according to Sky sources.

It is understood Rangers will pay an initial £500,000 fee, possibly rising to an eventual £1m based on incentives.

Smith, 27, has passed a medical with the Fulham's west London rivals and agreed personal terms.

The Birmingham-born forward signed for Fulham for £500,000 in 2014 but has struggled to establish himself under a succession of managers.

He has only made 20 Championship starts for the club across three seasons, and spent time on loan at Bristol City in 2014-15, where he scored 13 goals in 20 appearances. For Fulham he has only scored nine times in 53 games.

Sky sources understand Fulham still want to sign a new striker before Tuesday's deadline and are interested in Jordan Rhodes, but consider his price too expensive at £9m.

QPR are still trying to thrash out a deal with Ravel Morrison, who has been training with the club. Both a loan and a permanent deal from Lazio are on the table.


http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11711/10748828/qpr-set-to-sign-matt-smith-from-fulham-sky-sources

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QPR transfers: Fulham striker set to undergo medical as deal agreed
The Whites striker has found game time limited at Craven Cottage since joining in the summer of 2014

Matt Smith will undergo a medical at QPR ahead of completing a transfer from Fulham, with a fee understood to have been agreed between the two clubs.

The Whites striker has found game time limited at Craven Cottage since joining in the summer of 2014.

The 27-year-old has only made 51 appearances in the Championship in that time, with just 20 of those from the start.

Smith was Fulham's third choice striker last season, given the form of Ross McCormack and Moussa Dembele at Craven Cottage.

McCormack left for Aston Villa in the summer, with Dembele also departing for Celtic at the end of his contract leaving Smith as Fulham's main striker.

He scored twice in two games at the start of the season but found himself down the pecking order after the signing of Chris Martin.

And Slavisa Jokanovic has given the green light to a deal to be done with Rangers, while Fulham are on the hunt for a replacement striker.


http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/qpr-transfers-fulham-striker-set-12531974

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Fulham make it known they'll pay La Liga release clause, offer 'juicy' personal terms too

Fulham are trying to build a last minute deal to sign Sergi Enrich from Eibar, according to AS. The Spanish newspaper reports that Fulham are keen to sign the forward as a reinforcement in the winter window, and have already asked Eibar about the possibility.

Enrich's buyout clause is €10m, and AS say Fulham 'would be willing' to reach that figure if it secured a transfer. Fulham's personal terms offer to the player is described as 'very juicy' and AS believe he'd look favourably on the potential transfer should everything be sorted out.

The 26 year old has caught Fulham's attention with some good performances this season, and he's an important player for Eibar, which means they'd be reluctant to let him go. There may not be time to actually deposit the clause and do a deal that way, so Fulham may have to negotiate another way with Eibar if they want a deal done today.


http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-make-known-theyll-pay-la-liga-release-clause-offer-juicy-personal-terms/

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Report - Fulham want Eibar's Enrich

English side Fulham are hopeful of landing in-form Eibar striker Sergi Enrich on transfer deadline day, say reports in Spain.

AS state the Championship club are keen to bring another striker in late on in the transfer window and have already contacted Eibar regarding the possibility of a deal for the 26-year-old.

Fulham would be 'willing to trigger' Enrich's buyout clause at the club, which is thought to be in the region of €10m and the player is apparently open to a move as it would 'significantly' increase his salary.

The striker has played in all 58 La Liga matches for the Basque club after he joined them from Numancia in July 2015, scoring 15 times in the process.


http://www.football-espana.net/62655/report-fulham-want-eibars-enrich

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Chelsea target Moussa Dembele flies to London on transfer deadline day but Celtic insist it is 'for scan on knee'
Chelsea transfer news: All the latest on deadline day
Celtic have confirmed striker Moussa Dembele is flying to London today
The Frenchman has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea
But the Scottish champions insist the 20-year-old is going for medical reasons
The knee specialist Celtic use, Andy Williams, is based in London

Moussa Dembele has flown to London for a scan on a knee injury with Chelsea hoping to sign the Celtic striker on transfer deadline day.

Celtic have confirmed their 20-goal front man had boarded a plane for England after pictures emerged of Dembele apparently on a plane on Tuesday morning.

The club insist he is only going south for medical reasons, but his heading to London will only fuel Chelsea's hopes for a stunning deal.

Andy Williams, a knee specialist used by the Scottish champions, is based in London.

The club insist Dembele is making the trip to the capital for the reason of visiting Williams.

Chelsea could make a deadline day bid, and he would cost the Premier League leaders upwards of £30million.

Sportsmail understands the Premier League leaders could look to snap up the France Under-21 international as Michy Batshuayi is a loan target for West Ham.

But Chelsea would have to meet Celtic's significant asking price for the forward, who has helped Brendan Rodgers's side break a 50-year record for undefeated domestic games this season.

Manager Antonio Conte is not willing to allow Batshuayi to leave Chelsea in the transfer window without securing a replacement.

And with first-choice striker Diego Costa potentially leaving the club in the summer amid interest from Atletico Madrid and China, Chelsea may move early to secure a long-term replacement.

Celtic do not want to lose the player and are likely to demand more than £30m, a huge increase on the £500,000 they paid for him in the summer.

Dembele may prefer to stay at Celtic as he feels comfortable at Parched.

A move in the summer might hold more appeal for the 20-year-old.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4175394/Dembele-flys-London-ahead-shock-Chelsea.html#ixzz4XLMrSnNQ
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Cardiff, Fulham and Wolves in pursuit of Preston North End forward

Cardiff City, Fulham and Wolves are aiming to continue their attempts to sign Preston North End's Callum Robinson according to a report from the Daily Mail.

Over the last few weeks, it has become apparent that Robinson has become a key target for a few of Preston's rivals in the Sky Bet Championship. Last week it was reported that Wolves were preparing a £2m bid for him while it is also believed that Fulham made an offer worth £2.5m which was rejected. But even though they have had resistance so far, both teams are set to continue their attempts to sign him.

But while Fulham and Wolves have been prodding at Preston to see if they will accept an offer, they have been joined in Deadline Day by another team. Cardiff have started to pull away from the relegation zone after the appointment of Neil Warnock as their new head coach but he's been aiming to rebuild the squad since he arrived in South Wales. And with Robinson being seen as a very talented forward who can up front or on the wing, he has become a target for them as the transfer deadline looms large.

But despite all of this interest, Preston are aiming to hold tough and keep one of their best players. But they seem to have admitted that they have put a value on Robinson and that if any of these teams do want to sign him, they will have to stump up the big amount of £4m.


http://the72.co.uk/74216/cardiff-fulham-wolves-pursuit-preston-north-end-forward/

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McClaren explains why Derby County offered Chris Martin new deal

Steve McClaren explains why he offered Martin a new contract.

Steve McClaren has outlined why Derby County felt it was important to offer striker Chris Martin a new contract.

Martin is on a season-long loan at Fulham, who have an option to buy the player in the summer.

McClaren was keen for the loan to be terminated in this transfer window and for Martin to return to Derby, but there is no recall clause in the deal.

Martin has now signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the Rams and will return at the end of the campaign.

McClaren is a big fan of Martin and wants him as part of his squad. He said; "We had to do a contract because Chrissy had a year left.

"He could have sat that out, he also had an option in his loan and so that could have been taken up, and still can, but we wanted to make a commitment to Chrissy and we wanted a commitment from Chrissy to us."

He added: "I think it was appropriate to do it in January just to make sure we have him come next pre-season. So we know we are planning not just for the next few months but for next season. I want Chrissy Martin here next season.

"He is a goal scorer, and you need to score goals if you are going to be successful. All I know is that when I was here previously and worked with Chrissy, he scored goals.

"Since he has gone to Fulham all he has done is score goals, and that is what we need."

In just a couple of sentences, he said 'Chrissy' 5 times. I think he might be in love.

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Smith Departs

The Club can confirm that Matt Smith has joined Queens Park Rangers on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.

The striker joined Fulham on the final day of the 2014 summer transfer window, and he has gone on to score nine times in 53 appearances. He netted the winner in each of our opening two matches of the current season.

We would like to thank Matt for his efforts during his time at the Club, and wish him all the best for the future.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/january/31/smith-departs

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Club trying to hold player after Fulham show they can pay release clause

La Liga side Eibar are now said to be trying to convince Sergi Enrich not to join Fulham.

As reported by AS earlier today, the London club have recently expressed their intention of paying the striker's €10m release clause.

And according to El Correo, the Spanish club have responded quickly by talking to the player and trying to stop him from leaving.

As the wages offered by Fulham are said to be better than what he makes now, Eibar would be promising the 26-year-old a new deal with a bigger salary and a new release clause.

El Correo claims that Fulham already tried to sign the player during the summer with a €4m offer, but the bid was turned down by Eibar.

Enrich has scored seven goals and made four assists this season, so Fulham accepted he'd be more expensive now. That's why activating the release clause seems the most reasonable thing to do.

But Eibar are not planning to lose their striker and seem to be doing everything they can to keep him. Their arguments better be good, because the decision is in Enrich's hands now.


http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-trying-hold-player-fulham-show-can-pay-release-clause/

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Matt Smith: QPR sign striker from Fulham

Ten of Matt Smith's 17 appearances for Fulham this season came from the bench

Queens Park Rangers have signed striker Matt Smith from fellow Championship side Fulham for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old former Oldham and Leeds man has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal at Loftus Road.

Smith scored nine goals in 53 appearances for the Whites after joining from Leeds in September 2014.

"I think every team needs a big, strong centre-forward and Matt fits that bill for us," Rangers boss Ian Holloway told the club website.

"He's hungry, he's hard-working and he's got a massive personality."

Smith becomes QPR's fourth signing of the January transfer window.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38813438

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QPR sign Fulham's Matt Smith for £500,000 on three-and-a-half year deal

QPR have completed the signing of Fulham striker Matt Smith on a three-and-a-half year deal.

Smith has started just one game this season and arrives at Loftus Road for an initial fee in the region of £500,000 which could rise to £1million if certain clauses are met.

Earlier this month Ian Holloway outlined his intention to bring a forward to the club before the January transfer deadline and turned to Smith after failing to land Roterham striker Danny Ward.

"QPR is a club with a terrific history and heritage so it's a big honour for me to be a QPR player," Smith told www.qpr.co.uk, "I'm delighted to be here and want to take this fantastic opportunity with both hands.

"I want to get back playing regularly and help QPR win games. If my goals can contribute to that, then all the better, but as long as we're winning games, that's the most important thing.

"I can't wait to experience what it will feel like to pull on a Rangers shirt and play in front of the fans at Loftus Road."


http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/qpr-sign-fulhams-matt-smith-for-500000-on-threeandahalf-year-deal-a3454476.html

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Exclusive: Fulham transfer on brink of collapse, too complicated for deadline day

Fulham's attempt to sign Sergi Enrich from La Liga side Eibar is very close to collapse, Sport Witness has learned.

Sources close to the possible deal confirmed the West London side have offered to pay for the player's €10m release clause, just like first reported by the Spanish media today.

Fulham have put on the table a contract until 2020 with better wages than the player currently earns in Spain.

The problem is that Eibar, who don't want Enrich to leave, are forcing the striker to pay for the release clause himself.

For tax purposes, that should mean €4m more to be paid for the Spanish Treasury. As the player obviously won't spend that much money to make the transfer, all these expenses would go to Fulham.

So besides having to pay €14m for the full transfer, Fulham would still need to deposit this amount to Enrich's bank account and let him sort the business with his entourage.

It is possible to get around this and negate the tax issue, but with just hours left until the window closes, there's not much hope a deal can be done.


http://sportwitness.co.uk/exclusive-fulham-transfer-brink-collapse-complicated-deadline-day/

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Why Moussa Dembele will end up in the Premier League, even if he does not leave Celtic for Chelsea on deadline day
The French striker has always been headed for the top flight, and his brilliant form at Celtic shows that he is good enough

Moussa Dembele will come to the Premier League. There is no doubt that the 20-year-old striker will be back in England soon enough, playing for one of the top sides. It just might have to wait until this summer, or even into 2018, because Celtic have made clear that they want £40m for Dembele this window. Chelsea like him, but they do not like him that much, raising the possibility of another auction this summer. Every big team in the country would be involved.

There are few secrets in elite football anymore and everyone is wholly aware of just how good Dembele is. For him Celtic has been the perfect platform, a shop window to show off his skills. Had he left Fulham for a big club last summer, he would not have been first choice. But at Celtic he has scored 20 goals already. His overhead kick against Manchester City proved that he has the imagination and ability to take on the very best.

Dembele only cost Celtic £500,000 in compensation, as he left Craven Cottage at the end of his contract there. Given that he could plausibly leave for 60 times that amount it will be a brilliant bit of business from Celtic. They have made a success in recent years of sensing which players would be wanted by Premier League clubs, signing them up, giving them a platform then selling them on. It worked for Fraser Forster, Victor Wanyama and Virgil van Dijk, and Dembele would be the most spectacular example it.

Even though Dembele moved to Celtic last summer, there was never any doubt to those who know him best that he would end up in the Premier League. He has always made brave and far-sighted career decisions, not least when he left Paris Saint-Germain for the Fulham academy at the age of 16. Plenty of players leave Europe for English academies but few turn themselves into reliable first-team players within three years, especially in an environment as testing as the bad end of the Championship.

It was there that Dembele showed off the pace and poise that there had been glimpses of in Fuham's youth teams and in the FA Youth Cup. He also showed an absolute desperation to get to the top that does not characterise every young striker in English football. Fulham staff remember how he turned down Christmas parties and away days to work hard on his game and his fitness.

Although everyone else had watched him, especially Arsenal, those performances very nearly took him to White Hart Lane, where Mauricio Pochettino and Paul Mitchell had identified Dembele as a youngster who was fit and fast enough to play their football, pressing from the front, especially while there were still questions about Son Heung-min. Dembele even had a medical at Spurs ahead of the proposed £4m move but it collapsed after quibbling over whether Dembele could return to Fulham on loan for the second half of the season.

The collapse of the move meant that Dembele could help to keep Fulham in the Championship. Then, rather than go back to France to Monaco, or to the Premier League for expensive training compensation, he went to Celtic instead. But his ambitions were always the same, and he will be in the English top flight soon enough.


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/why-celtics-moussa-dembele-will-end-up-in-the-premier-league-even-if-he-does-not-move-tonight-a7555421.html