Tuesday Fulham Stuff (21/05/19)...

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HKFC Sevens Round-Up

Fulham Academy's debut in the Hong Kong Citi Sevens ended in disappointment as they were eliminated at the group stages.

The opening game of the group stages saw them face Portuguese side, and fellow newcomers Portimonense. A 0-0 stalemate kicked off proceedings as the Young Whites assessed the humid conditions.

The trickier test of West Ham followed a few hours later in which the solitary goal was enough to secure a win for The Hammers. With Portimonense picking up a point against West Ham, it meant the final game against HKFC Captain Select was irrelevant to progressing.

Goals from Tyrese Francois, Sonny Hilton, Connor McAvoy, Cody Drameh and Timmy Abraham put a glossy finish to their visit in Hong Kong. Although the lads were out of the main cup competition, the third placed sides could compete for the plate.

Japanese side Kashima Antlers were the quarter final test for Fulham as the game went all the way to penalties. A good save from Taye Ashby-Hammond deep into the shootout allowed the lads to progress to the semi-final.

The semi-final put English side Aston Villa in view in what appeared to be 'winner takes all'. Villa stole a comfortable lead which was difficult to overturn. Abraham's powerful finish proved to be a consolation as The Villains won 3-1 and went on to win the plate.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/may/20/hkfc-sevens-round-up

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Liverpool would be 'ultimate dream' for Man Utd and Tottenham target Ryan Sessegnon

LIVERPOOL would be Ryan Sessegnon's dream move from Fulham - but he looks set to choose between Manchester United and Tottenham instead.

The teenage star is on course to leave the Cottagers following their relegation back down into the Championship.

Sessegnon, 19, has long been touted for a switch to one of the Premier League's big six clubs.

And as his contract is due to expire in 2020, Fulham are resigned to selling their No.3.

Sessegnon would offer quality in attack and defensively down the left flank, having shown great versatility at Craven Cottage.

Left-wing has been the youngster's primary position for Fulham, although he had a disrupted debut season in the Premier League as Claudio Ranieri fazed him out of the side.

His huge potential and ability is undoubted, though, at the top level.

And United are said to have made contact with Fulham over a potential deal this summer.

The speculation surrounding Sessegnon's future comes as:

    Man Utd are confident of keeping Marcus Rashford on a £300,000-a-week deal
    Man Utd 'start negotiations' to sign £105m Benfica playmaker Joao Felix
    Tottenham fans will not want to hear Moussa Sissoko's SHOCK Mauricio Pochettino claim

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is targeting young, hungry homegrown players who will have a real desire to succeed at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are also long-term admirers and would allow Sessegnon the chance to develop further under Mauricio Pochettino as well as remain in London.

However, according to the Daily Express, sources close to Sessegnon have said a switch to Anfield would be his 'ultimate dream'.

The boyhood Liverpool fan would relish the chance to team up with Jurgen Klopp and his group on Merseyside.

Sessegnon watched on as the Reds came within a point of the Premier League title this term, losing out to Manchester City, while he will no doubt be keeping a close eye on the Champions League final between Liverpool and Tottenham.

The latter could ultimately end up being his next club, while United are reportedly the only team to have made a direct approach so far.

The Premier League transfer window is now open, but Sessegnon's hopes of Liverpool making a move are bleak.

The Daily Express add Liverpool have previously shown interest but that has now cooled and no switch is on the table this summer.

Sessegnon is also aware how a move to Old Trafford would seriously hurt his chances of ever heading to Liverpool due to the rivalry between the two clubs.

Spurs could be considered the logical next step as a result, although chairman Daniel Levy would want to keep the fee as low as possible.

Fulham want as much as £40m for Sessegnon, but a £25m move is considered more realistic for Tottenham.



https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/780110/Ryan-Sessegnon-Liverpool-Man-Utd-Tottenham-Spurs-Fulham-Transfer-News

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West Ham: Salomon Rondon is the striker the Hammers need

When Salomon Rondon joined Newcastle on loan at the start of the season, it seemed to be quite an uninspiring signing.

The Venezuelan international was underwhelming during his time with West Brom from 2015 to 2018, scoring just 24 goals in 108 Premier League appearances for the Baggies, which is why it was a surprise when Rondon became a talisman for Rafa Benitez this season.

The former Zenit striker had his best season in England, scoring 11 and assisting seven as Rondon was named Newcastle's Player of the Year after his contributions kept the northeast club in the Premier League for another season, and with West Brom failing to gain promotion from out of the Championship, plenty of teams are keeping tabs of the target man, including West Ham.

According to the Northern Echo via the Daily Star, Manuel Pellegrini is keen to get business done early this summer and with attackers such as Andy Carroll and Lucas Perez likely to this transfer window, the east London side are in need of strikers, and Rondon fits the bill perfectly.

With a release clause of £16.5 million, the Venezuelan striker will be a relatively cheap signing for West Ham and coming off the back of an impressive season with Newcastle, it looks like Rondon has finally found his feet in the Premier League.

Unlike fellow Hammers target Aleksandar Mitrovic, Rondon would bring much-needed experience to the team that are in need of a leader in the attack, and the West Brom man can bring that if Pellegrini moves in quick for a striker that many of West Ham's rivals will be after for this summer.



https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/west-ham/west-ham-salomon-rondon-is-the-striker-the-hammers-need/

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Aleksandar Mitrovic to West Ham: Pellegrini massive favourite to sign Fulham striker

The Hammers have been strongly linked with a swoop for the striker in recent days

West Ham have been installed as evens favourites with one bookmaker to complete a move for Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic this summer.

The Hammers have been linked with the frontman heavily in recent days after it emerged the club could be priced out of a move for their number one target during the transfer window, Maxi Gomez.

Football.London understands that Mitrovic is on the list of wanted strikers Manuel Pellegrini has put together this summer to potentially bring to east London alongside Salomon Rondon, Moussa Marega and Gomez.

Now, bookmakers BetVictor have priced up the Hammers at evens to swoop for the Serbian striker, who is expected to leave Craven Cottage this summer after their relegation to the Championship.

The Hammers are ahead of Everton (2/1), Southampton (4/1) and Spurs (10/1) in the market.


Aleksandar Mitrovic is a target for West Ham this summer (Image: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

Mitrovic joined Fulham initially on-loan from Newcastle United in January 2017 and scored 12 goals in the final six months of the season to fire Slavisa Jokanovic's side to promotion to the Premier League. He then joined the club permanently from Newcaslte United for a reported fee of £22m.

He scored 11 goals in the Premier League last season but it wasn't enough to keep Fulham in the Premier League who dispensed wth the services of Jokanovic and Claudio Ranieri as manager across the campaign before appointing Scott Parker.

The Hammers are in the market for at least one striker, if not two, this summer as they are expected to allow Javier Hernandez and Lucas Perez to leave the club if they receive the right offer. Another frontman in Andy Carroll is set to be released once his contract comes to an end on July 1.



https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/transfer-news/aleksandar-mitrovic-west-ham-transfer-16301542

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The Football League free agents that Fulham, QPR, Brentford and Millwall could sign this summer

Every Football League player who will be a free agent this summer

The EFL regular season has now concluded.

Norwich City and Sheffield United are celebrating promotion to the Premier League with Luton Town and Barnsley heading to the Championship. While Lincoln City, Bury and MK Dons are all going up to League One next season.

With the action over for the season, aside from the play-offs, teams have started to reveal their retained lists for the next campaign.

Here are all the players who will be free agents this summer - this will be updated throughout the summer.

Championship
Blackburn Rovers

Released: Paul Downing, Jack Doyle, Lewis Mansell, Charlie Albinson

In talks:  Craig Conway, Jack Rodwell and Ben Gladden

Brentford

Released: Yoann Barbet, Jack Bonham, Lewis Macleod, Josh McEachran, Moses Odubajo

Bristol City

Released: Frank Fielding, Eros Pisano, Stefan Marinovic

Fulham

Released: Ryan Babel, Lazar Markovic, Elijah Adebayo, Robert Atkinson, Aron Davies, Jose Garrido, Christopher Kelly, Scott Armsworth, Showkat Tahir

Huddersfield Town

Released: Jonas Lossl, Erik Durm, Danny Williams, Jack Payne, Laurent Depoitre

Hull City

Released: Callum Burton, Adam Curry, Evandro, Will Keane, Ondřej Mazuch, Liam Ridgewell, James Weir

In talks: Frazier Campbell, David Marshall

Leeds United

Released: Lucas Odunston, Joshua Rae, Alex Wollerton

Offered new contract: Matthew Downing, Theo Hudson, Niall Huggins, Harrison Male

Millwall

Released: Lee Gregory Jordan Archer, Tom King, Sid Nelson, Conor McLaughlin, Ryan Tunnicliffe

Offered new contract: David Martin

Nottingham Forest

Released: Jamie Ward, Stephen Henderson, Adam Crookes, Alex Iacovtti

Preston North End

Released: Andy Boyle, Marnick Vermijl, Ben Pringle, Tommy Spurr, Michael Howard and Tom Stead

Queens Park Rangers

Released: Jake Bidwell, Pawel Wszolek, Jordan Cousins, Joel Lynch, Alex Baptiste

Offered new contract: Angel Rangel, Seny Dieng

Reading

Released: Danzell Gravenberch, Callum Harriott, Anssi Jaakkola, George Legg, Paul McShane, John O'Shea (retiring).

Rotherham United

Released: Darren Potter, David Ball, Dominic Ball, Alex Bray, Emmanuel Onariase

In talks: Ryan Williams, Joe Newell, Jon Taylor, Anthony Forde

Sheffield United

Released: Paul Coutts, Martin Cranie, Conor Washington, Daniel Lafferty and Caolan Lavery

Transfer listed: Leon Clarke, Jake Wright, Ched Evans, Samir Carruthers, Nathan Thomas, Ben Heneghan, Ricky Holmes

Sheffield Wednesday

Released: Almen Abdi, George Boyd, Gary Hooper, David Jones, Marco Matias, Daniel Pudil

Swansea City

Released: Martin Olsson, Leroy Fer, Luciano Narsingh, Wilfried Bony, Wayne Routledge

Offered contracts: Matt Blake, Josh Gould, Tom Price, Cameron Evans, Mason Jones-Thomas, Marc Walsh and Daniel Williams.

West Brom

Released: James Morrison, Gareth Barry, Boaz Myhill, Tyrone Mears, Wes Hoolahan

Offered new contract: Rekeem Harper

League One
Accrington Stanley

Released: Danny Williams, Will Wood,Liam Nolan

In talks: Jonny Maxted, Scott Brown, Ben Richards-Everton.
AFC Wimbledon

Released: Deji Oshilaja, Andy Barcham, Tom Soares, Alfie Egan, Osaze Urhoghide, James O'Halloran, Kane Crichlow
Bradford City

Released: Adam Chicksen, Ryan McGowan, Ben Wilson, Billy Clarke, Alex Jones, Nathaniel Knight-Percival, Calum Woods, Cameron Hawkes, Callum Gunner, Tom Clare, Paul Caddis.
Bristol Rovers

Released: Adam Smith, Sam Slocombe, Tom Lockyer, Daniel Leadbitter, Alfie Clarke, Stuart Sinclair, Chris Lines, Connor Jones, Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist, James Spruce.

In talks: James Clarke, Joe Partington, Deon Moore
Burton Albion

Released: Kyle McFadzean, Harry Campbell, Will Miller and Damien McCrory
Coventry City

Released: Lee Burge, Jack Grimmer, Tom Davies, Liam O'Brien, Tony Andreu, Stuart Beavon, Chris Camwell, Reece Ford and Billy Stedman

Offered new deal: Jordan Willis
Fleetwood Town

Released: Paul Jones, James Wallace, Joe Maguire. Ryan Taylor

In talks: Ashley Nadesan. Ross Wallace, Dan Mooney.
Peterborough United

Released: Darren Lyon, Ryan Tafazolli, Morgan Penfold, Lewis Freestone

Transfer listed: Aaron Chapman, Callum Cooke, Mark O'Hara, Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, Matt Stevens
Portsmouth

Released: Dion Donohue, Dan Smith

In talks: Nathan Thompson

Offered contracts: Matt Casey
Plymouth Argyle

Released: Jamie Ness, Lionel Ainsworth, Paul Anderson Alex Battle, Harry Hodges and Dan Rooney, Jordan Bentley (retired).

Offered new contracts: Graham Carey, Ryan Edwards, Alex Fletcher, David Fox, Joel Grant, Luke Jephcott, Ruben Lameiras, Ryan Law, Kyle Letheren, Cameron Sangster, Gary Sawyer, Yann Songo'o.
Rochdale

Released: Bradden Inman,  Jordan Williams

Offered new deals: Matty Done, Jimmy Keohane, Aaron Morley, Kgosi Ntlhe, Ollie Rathbone, Brad Wade, Aaron Wilbraham
Scunthorpe United

Released: Josh Morris, Byron Webster, Jonathan Flatt.
Wycombe Wanderers

Released: Marcus Bean, Darius Charles, Paris Cowan-Hall, Michael Harriman, Yves Ma-Kalambay, Nathan Tyson, Ben Frempah.

In talks: Adebayo Akinfenwa, Dominic Gape, Scott Kashket.

League Two
Cambridge United

Released: David Forde, Emmanuel Osadebe, Lee Watkins, Matt Foy, Sam Squire, Jake Carroll (joined Motherwell)

In talks: George Maris, Gary Deegan, Brad Halliday, Leon Davies, Tom Knowles, Finley Iron
Carlisle United

Released: Richie Bennett, Anthony Gerrard, George Glendon, Arthur Gnahoua, Peter Grant, Jason Kennedy, Gary Liddle, Gary Miller.
Cheltenham Town

Released: Matt Bower, Rakish Bingham, Tyrone Barnett.

In talks: Ryan Broom, Kevin Dawson and Rhys Lovett

Contracts rejected: Nigel Atangana and Jordon Forster.

Transfer listed: Manny Duku, Liam McAlinden and Tom Smith
Crewe Alexandra

Released: Ben Garratt, Michael Raynes, Alex Nicholls, Joe Lynch

Offered new contracts: Jordan Bowery, Oliver Finney, Travis Johnson, Regan Griffiths, Billy Sass-Davies, Josh Lundstram, Luke Offord
Exeter City

Released: Luke Croll, James Hamon, Felix Norman, Jimmy Oates, Max Smallcombe.

Offered new deals: Hiram Boateng, Lee Holmes, Christy Pym.
Forest Green Rovers

Released: Scott Laird, Lee Collins, Jordan Simpson, Tahvon Campbell, Gavin Gunning, Isaac Pearce, Haydn Hollis, Fabien Robert

Offered new deal: Reece Brown

Transfer listed: Rueben Reid
Grimsby Town

Released: Danny Collins, Wes Thomas, Martyn Woolford, JJ Hooper

In talks: Harry Davis, Alex Whitmore, Reece Hall-Johnson, Sam Russell
Lincoln City

In talks: Michael O'Connor, Matt Gilks, Sam Habergham
Mansfield Town

Released: Will Atkinson, Zayn Hakeem, Henri Wilder,

In talks: Jacob Mellis, Ben Turner
Morecambe

Released: Adam Campbell, Vadaine Oliver, Dawid Szczepaniak, James Sinclair and Ben Hedley.
Northampton Town

Released: Dean Bowditch, Jack Bridge, David Buchanan, Luke Coddington, Shay Facey, Sam Foley, James Goff, Joe Iaciofano.

Transfer listed: Ash Taylor, Billy Waters, Joe Bunney
Notts County

Released: Lewis Alessandra, Shaun Brisley, Richard Duffy, Cedric Evina, Elliott Hewitt, Noor Husin, Dan Jones, Robert Milsom, Jim O'Brien, Jon Stead, David Vaughan
Oldham Athletic

Released: Jose Baxter, Peter Clarke, Dan Gardner, Jay Sheridan, Andy Taylor, Chinedu Uche, Urko Vera

In talks: Jonathan Benteke, Mohamed Maouche, Gevaro Nepomuceno, Zeus De la Paz
Port Vale

Released: Antony Kay, Theo Vassell, Mike Calveley, Michael Tonge, Luke Hannant, Harry Benns, Danny Elliott, Dan Turner, Dior Angus

Offered new deal: Sam Hornby
Stevenage

Released: Luke Wilkinson, Michael Timlin, Johnny Hunt, Mark McKee, Joe Martin, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Will Appleyard, Oliver Byrne

Transfer listed: James Ball, Donovan Makoma

In talks: Ronnie Henry, Alex Revell, Joel Byrom
Swindon Town

Released: James Dunne, Jordan Edwards, Olly Lancashire, Jak McCourt, Sol Pryce, Marc Richards, Chris Robertson, Martin Smith, Lawrence Vigouroux, Jordan Young, Matty Taylor (retired).
Yeovil Town

Released: Released: Adel Gafaiti, Bevis Mugabi, Jake Gray, Rhys Browne, Alex Fisher, Sessi D'Almeida, Alefe Santos, Yoann Arquin, Francois Zoko.

Offered new deal: Craig Alcock, Alex John and Nestor Shako.



https://www.football.london/championship/football-league-transfers-free-agents-16300841

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Babel set for Galatasaray

Voetbal International is reporting that Ryan Babel is set for a return to Turkey with Galatasaray.

Babel spent the last six months with Fulham in the Premier League but confirmed after relegation that he would not be staying at the London club.

The 32-year-old is now set for a return to Turkey with Galatasaray. Talks are at an advanced stage with the Super Lig champions over a multi-year deal.

It would be a controversial transfer for the attacker, who spent two years with Besiktas before leaving in January for Fulham.

Galatasaray will be Babel's ninth club after Ajax, Liverpool, Hoffenheim, Al-Ain, Kasimpasa, Deportivo la Coruna, Besiktas and Fulham.



http://www.football-oranje.com/babel-set-for-galatasaray/

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Claim Fulham player has signed a contract with another club

Haber Global's Yagiz Sabuncuoglu claims Galatasaray have completed the signing of Fulham attacker Ryan Babel.

The Dutchman will be out of contract with the London club at the end of next month.

Sabuncuoglu reports Babel had been in Istanbul for the past five days and agreed a deal with Galatasaray before flying to Amsterdam to join up with his national team.

It's also reported Fenerbahce and Besiktas made offers to sign the 32 year old, but instead he'll join their local rivals.

Fenerbahce manager Ersun Yanal was reported to be interested in signing the Fulham attacker but despite his former Besiktas teammate Tolgay Arslan making attempts to convince him on a move to the Yellow Canaries, he rejected them for Gala.

After joining Fulham from Besiktas in the January transfer window, Babel scored five goals club but couldn't prevent them being relegated back to the Championship

Babel was also linked with Premier League clubs Norwich City and Newcastle United.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/claim-fulham-player-signed-contract-another-club/

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Exclusive: Fulham set sights on signing Middlesbrough 26-year-old on big wages
EXCLUSIVE By Pete O'Rourke

Fulham are eyeing a move for Middlesbrough striker Britt Assombalonga to fire them back to the Premier League, Football Insider understands.

Assombalonga's future at the Riverside Stadium has been the subject of speculation for some time with a number of clubs showing an interest in his services.

Fulham are set to be in the market for striking reinforcements this summer in case they lose Aleksandar Mitrovic in the wake of their relegation from the Premier League.

A Fulham source has told Football Insider the club believe Assombalonga could be an ideal replacement for Mitrovic as is a proven goalscorer at Championship level and can also lead the line on his own like the Serbian does.

The Cottagers are set to have a hefty budget in the transfer window this summer armed with the Premier League parachute payments and they have no issues with Assombalonga's fee or significant wages.

The 26-year-old has finished as Boro's top scorer in each of his two seasons at the club following his £15million move from Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2017.

Middlesbrough may be forced to cash-in on Assombalonga this summer after missing out on promotion to the Premier League and Fulham are ready to test Boro's resolve to hang onto the player.

In other Fulham news, the club are battling Celtic to sign left-sided flyer available on summer free transfer.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-fulham-set-sights-on-signing-middlesbrough-26-year-old-on-big-wages/