Thursday Fulham Stuff (04/04/19)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Tottenham transfer target Ryan Sessegnon set to lead relegated Fulham's exodus

Fulham valued teen ace Ryan Sessegnon at £50m last summer but Tottenham are unlikely to have to pay that a year on

Fulham are resigned to losing prize asset Ryan Sessegnon now they have been relegated from the Premier League.

The west Londoners' players all have relegation-related wage reduction clauses of up to 50% in their contracts, strengthening the club's belief that they don't have to sell anybody they want to keep.

But they fear they will struggle to hold onto whizkid Sessegnon, after their return to the Championship was confirmed, following just a season back in the top flight, by Tuesday's 4-1 hammering away to Watford.

Fulham put a £50million price-tag on Sessegnon's head last summer, when Tottenham in particular were keen.

But the 18-year-old wideman's value will have been hit by their struggles this term and the fact he now has just one year left on his contract.


Fulham feel they don't HAVE to sell after relegation but accept Sessegnon will go (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Despite their belief that Sessegnon needs to be the one big exit, there is an acceptance at Craven Cottage that other players and their representatives might feel different and want to push for moves.

Top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic, signed for £22million last summer after scoring important goals in the promotion campaign while on loan from Newcastle, will have Premier League suitors, including London neighbours West Ham.

Fulham are also bracing themselves for offers for midfielder Jean Michael Seri, a surprise £18m capture from French side Nice last summer after they came up via the play-offs. Seri was the subject of bids during the January window as they headed for the drop.

Five loanees and short-term signings Ryan Babel and Lazar Markovic are all on deals that expire this summer.

The two-year loan of former Germany international midfielder Andre Schurrle, who has failed to impress, from Borussia Dortmund will also end a year early now they are back in the second tier.

Scott Parker, the club's third manager of the season after promotion-winner Slavisa Jokanovic and Claudio Raieri, who took Leicester to the title three years ago but was unable to keep Fulham up after joining in November, is waiting to hear if he will keep the role next season.



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/tottenham-transfer-target-ryan-sessegnon-14231364

[Robbie]

Guardian piece is good (hate to say that).

[WhiteJC]

 
West Ham plot Aleksandar Mitrovic raid as Fulham relegation opens door for transfer frenzy
WEST HAM are reportedly preparing to sign Aleksandar Mitrovic from Fulham with relegation from the Premier League expected to result in several players leaving the West London club.

Fulham are preparing themselves for an onslaught of enquiries, as teams seek to pick off their talented players following their relegation to the Championship.

And the Hammers have set their sights on Mitrovic, reports the Mirror.

West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini has seen his side struggle to find the back of the net this season, with their current top goalscorer being Brazilian midfielder Felipe Anderson with just eight league goals.

As far as their forwards go, both Marko Arnautoivc and Chicharito have only tallied seven goals each so far this season.

The club have only scored 41 goals after 32 Premier League games, so it will come as little surprise they are looking to add more firepower up front.

Despite being part of a relegated outfit Mitrovic has managed to produce a career-best scoring tally in the Premier League this season.

The 24-year-old has scored 10 goals in 32 appearances for Fulham despite the club only winning four games.

Mitrovic's previous best was during his spell at Newcastle United in the 2015-16 season when he had nine goals.

Fulham fans were hopeful before the season started after the club spent over £100m on bringing in players to improve their squad which marked a record amount of spending for a promoted side.

However, woeful defensive performances have seen the team concede 76 goals after 33 games.

They currently have the worst goal difference in the league at -46 and have conceded 17 more goals than Huddersfield, who are bottom of the table.

The Cottagers are now on their third manager of the season, Scott Parker, after sacking Slavisa Jokanovic and Claudio Ranieri.

Parker, who was put in caretaker charge in February believes he understands what needs to change at the club.



https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1109553/West-Ham-transfer-news-Aleksandar-Mitrovic-Fulham

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham should consider battling Olympiacos for January target Slimani if Mitrovic leaves

Leicester City could let Islam Slimani leave this summer and Fulham were reportedly keen on the towering hitman during the January transfer window.

Greek outfit Olympiacos are looking to end Islam Slimani's Leicester City career this summer, according to SDNA, as relayed by the Leicester Mercury.

They claim that the man who Leicester signed back in 2016, for a fee the BBC reported at the time was £29m has no future at the King Power Stadium, especially after this season's loan spell with Fenerbahce has failed to reignite his career.

But Olympiacos are not the only club who have been linked with a swoop for Slimani of late. Back in December 2018, the Telegraph reported that Fulham wanted the towering hitman to boost their frontline.

And the future of top scorer Aleksandar Mitrović is going to attract attention in the coming months after the Cottagers' relegation.

Love Sport reported that there is a chance the Serbian may remain at the club, but if he does depart, the Whites are going to need firepower and they could do worse than Sliming.

The Algerian clearly has quality – he has Champions League and international experience – and a season at a lower level, playing every week could be just what he needs to get his career back on song.

In some ways, that's what Mitrovic did with a career that was meandering before his loan to Craven Cottage in January 2018 – and Slimani would be a good, physical replacement if the worst happens with the man they call 'Mitro'.



https://tbrfootball.com/fulham-should-consider-battling-olympiacos-for-january-target-slimani-if-mitrovic-leaves/

[ffcne]

Guardian piece is good (hate to say that).

The independent summed up the situation well.

[Bill2]

I have to have a wry smile when I hear about all the players leaving Fulham in the summer. It as if they are all stars and we would have clubs queuing up for them. So I am trying to make an honest (my) assessment of our players which will no doubt others will disagree with but!!!

There are not many of our players who have performed anywhere near half decent this season and a number have been down right hopeless, especially the loan signings some of whom I have not seen. I read in the paper today that TFM is going to be released by Man U this summer, no surprise there as they didn't want him back last window, especially as they were not paying his wages.

RS could go as in the last year of his contract and our best chance to cash in on his potential, but Mitro has a long contract so if other clubs are sniffing around they have to pay market prices. But they will not be top half teams and more than likely be the ones who are favourites for relegation next season and do they have the money we would want. As for the rest I really cannot see any Prem club knocking on our door unless they are looking for someone to sit on the bench. They may go to Europe to some of the smaller teams but is that any better than the Championship? People are talking about Alfie Mawson but with his sickness record is any club prepared to take the risk, I have never heard of a player doing his knee in changing his boots. He will need an injury free season before anyone is prepared to take any risks with him.

We have not got a team of superstars more a hodge potch of average to poor players and while they will play better in a better team, I am pretty confident none of the top 6 will be interested in any apart from RS and I will be very surprised if any of the top 12 come in for any anyone.