Tuesday Fulham Stuff (29/01/19)...

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Report: Fulham turn down Domagoj Vida as Croatian nears Roma switch

Fulham have conceded 51 Premier League goals this season but it seems that Besiktas centre-back Vida was simply too expensive.

Croatian international defender Domagoj Vida could be on his way to Roma despite being offered to Premier League strugglers Fulham, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

2018 was by far the most impressive year of Vida's career as he sealed a move to Besiktas before starring at the World Cup in Russia, helping Croatia reach the final for the first time in their history while beating England and Argentina along the way.

As a result, his reputation has gone through the roof. And Gianluca Di Marzio believes that Vida could be rewarded for 12 stellar months with the biggest move of his career.

Roma manager Eusebio Di Francesco is keen to bring the former Dinamo Zagreb colossus to the Stadio Olympic.

Interestingly, the report adds that Vida was offered to Fulham with Besiktas in the midst of a financial crisis. But it is understood that the Turkish Super Lig side were demanding a fee that Claudio Ranieri's side were simply not willing to pay.

This is despite a dreadful defensive record that has seen The Cottagers concede 51 goals in just 23 top flight games this season.

Sporx reported earlier in the month that the 29-year-old Vida was valued at £10.8 million.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/01/29/do-report-fulham-turn-down-domagoj-vida-as-croatian-nears-roma-s/

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EXCLUSIVE: Fears grow that Fulham will sign no more players in January

Ryan Babel may turn out to be the only player Fulham sign in January, Love Sport understands.

The Dutch attacker signed a short-term contract with the club earlier this month as Claudio Ranieri looked to strengthen the squad that had more than £100million spent on it over the summer.

The Italian boss is also understood to have been in talks over a move for Chelsea defender Gary Cahill but Fulham could not offer him the wages required.

And now multiple club sources have told Love Sport that they are worried the Cottagers will not bring in anyone else over the next two days, despite the fact that they remain seven points from safety and have conceded more goals than any other team in the Premier League.

Danny Drinkwater and Victor Moses have also been linked with a move across West London and were even given a training ground tour in an effort to convince them of the club's merits but those transfers have also failed to materialise.

The lack of activity has left fans particularly disgruntled with Fulham vice-chairman Tony Khan who has promised investment and 'multiple signings' in January to help the club's stricken league position.

Ranieri meanwhile appears to believe he will be given the chance to sign reinforcements this week before the transfer window slams shut at 11pm on Thursday night.

"I don't know if Cahill is on our lists. We have alternatives and I am sure the club will try to do the best for the team," Ranieri said.

"We are looking for good opportunities.

"If somebody come in the battle will be very hard, but we are always positive and never give up and we are ready to make the maximum effort.

"I think the recruitment, Tony Khan and everybody are working hard to give us the opportunity for me to choose the best for the team."

Khan himself has been keen to reinforce that Fulham still believe they are in with a chance of avoiding relegation.

"To the squad, staff and supporters, some people are waving the white flag and saying we should surrender. People said the same when we were six and four points behind during the past two seasons. We closed the gap both times," Khan wrote on social media earlier this month.

"We can close this gap. It's on our players now to fight, finish and win.

"Our squad has great moments but they've shown their abilities more often than they've gotten the points we need.

"As with last January we'll make multiple signings to improve the squad."



https://www.lovesportradio.com/news/love-sport-exclusives/exclusive-fears-grow-that-fulham-will-sign-no-more-players-in-january/

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Newcastle and Fulham linked with Premier League South American

Premier League sides Newcastle United and Fulham are interested in signing Manchester United veteran Antonio Valencia, according to a report published by The Daily Mail.

The 33-year-old's current contract at Old Trafford is set to expire in the summer and he has fallen down the pecking order at the club.

Valencia is unlikely to get an extended contract at United, opening the opportunity for Newcastle and Fulham.

The South American full-back has only managed five Premier League appearances thus far this season and could leave the club on a cut-price fee this month if a good opportunity arises.

Newcastle are short of money to spend due to the reluctance of owner Mike Ashley to splash the cash – as such, a cut-price deal would suit the St James' Park outfit.

Fulham are in a battle to stay in the Premier League and as such Valencia's experience and ability would be a welcome addition at Craven Cottage.

United will be keen to offload Valencia in order to get him off their wage bill.

The 33-year-old joined the club during the summer of 2009 from Wigan Athletic and went on to establish himself as a fan favourite.

Valencia has so far made 338 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 25 goals and has also won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups and one Europa League.

Valencia also boasts 93 appearances and 11 goals for the Ecuador national team. He was a participant for his country during the World Cups in 2006 and 2014 as well as during the Copa America tournaments in 2007, 2011 and 2016.

The veteran could still have a lot to offer the likes of Newcastle and Fulham, whom both face a battle to avoid relegation this season.

Whether a deal goes ahead could ultimately come down to whether United will be willing to pay out the remainder of the player's contract.



https://ninetyminutesonline.com/newcastle-and-fulham-linked-with-premier-league-south-american/