Thursday Fulham Stuff (05/07/18)...

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Fulham mulling Boyata bid
by Dan on July 4, 2018

Fulham are considering tabling an offer for Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata on account of his World Cup exploits with Belgium, according to the Scottish Sun.

The 27 year-old defender has only a year to run on his current Celtic contract and, although Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers hasn't conceded defeat in convincing the former Manchester City centre back to extend his deal, Boyata's composed displays in Russia could spark a bidding war amongst some of Europe's leading clubs for his services. The Sun report suggests that Lazio had been tracking Boyata in Russia, whilst Fulham are now mulling over whether to make an offer as they look to strengthen their defence this summer.

Celtic are reluctant to sell Boyata, who has made 92 appearances in three seasons with the Scottish giants, but could be persuaded to cash in on his excellent international form should he not be willing to sign a new contract. The 6ft 2in centre half was called into Roberto Martinez's squad for Russia having made a real impression north of the border as an integral part of the Celtic side that stormed to three consecutive league titles.

Boyata, who came through the youth ranks at Manchester City having moved to England from Brussels back in 2006, started all three of Belgium's group games at the World Cup. He has been attracting attention from a number of Turkish and French sides since the end of the season – and Fulham would face stiff competition for his signature. Boyata may relish the opportunity of proving himself in the Premier League, having made just twelve league appearances in four seasons at Manchester City, and the Sun suggests that the Whites would be willing to offer him a substantial wage increase.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/07/fulham-mulling-boyata-bid/

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Fulham eyeing Plattenhardt swoop
by Dan on July 4, 2018

Fulham have been linked with a move for Hertha Berlin's German international left-back Marvin Plattenhardt by German tabloid Bild.

The Whites are among six English clubs who are willing to test Hertha's resolve to keep hold of their highly-rated defender, who was part of Joachim Löw's squad that crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage last week. Bild names Everton, Huddersfield Town, Watford and Bournemouth as Fulham's rivals in the chase for the 26 year-old full back, with the Terriers presumed to be leading the race due to their strong links with Germany under head coach David Wagner.

It would take a sizeable offer to convince Hertha to part with Plattenhardt, with Bild suggesting a fee of around £22m, but the Bundesliga side do have a ready-made replacement in youngster Maximilian Mittelstädt. Plattenhardt, who has won six senior caps for his country since making his international debut against Denmark last June, helped a second-string Germany side win the Confederations Cup last summer and was one of the few brights spots during their disastrous World Cup campaign.

He has made 121 senior appearances in four years with Hertha – scoring five goals – and has a reputation as a dead-ball expert. Fulham are searching for a new left-back ahead of the new campaign having seen their £10m bid for Matt Targett, who made such an impression on loan at Craven Cottage during the second half of last season as Slavisa Jokanovic's side won the Championship play-offs, rejected by Southampton. Jokanovic sees the strengthening of his defence as crucial to preparing Fulham for the Premier League and also allowing young starlet Ryan Sessegnon to fully express himself from the left wing.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/07/fulham-eyeing-plattenhardt-swoop/

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Fulham reportedly make an offer for Musacchio, Milan considering whether or not to part ways with the defender

Mateo Musacchio is wanted by Fulham and the English club has apparently sent Milan an official bid for him.

Musacchio only joined Milan last summer but due to the expected arrival of Leonardo Bonucci from Juve, and the decision to ditch the 3-man defense system, the ex-Villarreal made didn't find the space he was hoping to find.

Milan, at the moment, are focusing on selling players, and after Gustavo Gomez (who has already passed his Boca Juniors medical), Musacchio can also be on the way out.

Sky Italia's Gianluca Di Marzio, Fulham, who have been promoted to the Premier League, have made an offer for the 27-year-old center back and right now the Rossoneri are evaluating whether to accept it or not. Fulham's offer is concrete and it's to take Musacchio on a permanent basis.

Should Milan sell Musacchio in addition to Gomez, it's possible that they'll be on the market for a center back. In the last days they've met with the agent of the 20-year-old Filip Benković.



http://www.rossoneriblog.com/2018/07/05/fulham-reportedly-make-an-offer-for-musacchio-milan-considering-whether-or-not-to-part-ways-with-the-defender/