Saturday Fulham Stuff - 20/07/19...

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 Football: Galatasaray sign Fulham midfielder Seri
Galatasaray welcome Seri on Twitter, Ivorian midfielder to play for Istanbul club until 2020

Turkey's Galatasaray signed Fulham's Ivorian midfielder Jean Michael Seri on loan late Thursday.

Galatasaray announced Seri's move on Twitter, with a picture of him after a check up for the Istanbul club.

Galatasaray said on its website that it will pay €1.5 million ($1.6 million) to Fulham to loan Seri for one season.

Seri will earn €2.8 million ($3.1 million) salary for the 2019-2020 football season.

It is added that Galatasaray are able to buy Seri for €18 million ($20.2 million) from Fulham until June 1, 2020.

Seri, 28, who plays as central midfielder, joined Fulham from French club Nice in July 2018.

Last season Seri netted one goal and produced three assists in 32 Premier League appearances for Fulham but couldn't avoid the relegation of his team to a lower division.



https://www.aa.com.tr/en/sports/football-galatasaray-sign-fulham-midfielder-seri/1535963

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Former Wales and Sunderland boss emerges as candidate for Sheffield Wednesday job

Chris Coleman has emerged as a candidate for the vacant Sheffield Wednesday job.

The Owls are in the hunt for a new manager to replace Steve Bruce, who left them to join Premier League side Newcastle United this week.

Their caretaker boss Lee Bullen remains the favourite for the position, however, Coleman has emerged as the 5/1 second favourite on SkyBet. Other candidates in the running are Gary Rowett, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Tony Pulis.

Coleman, who is 49 years-old, is available after he was sacked by Chinese Super League side Hebei China Fortune in May.

He made over 550 appearances in his playing days with spells at Swansea City, Blackburn Rovers, Crystal Palace and Fulham as a defender.

The Welshman started his managerial career in 2003 with Fulham and spent four years at Craven Cottage before moving to Spanish side Real Sociedad.

Stints at Coventry City and Greek outfit Larissa followed before he was handed the Wales job in 2012. He guided his country to the Semi-Finals at Euro 2016 in France.

Coleman took the Sunderland job in November 2017 in what was arguably a poisoned chalice and he couldn't prevent them from relegation to League One. China then called for him but he could now be ready to prove people wrong in the Championship with Wednesday.

Bullen is still the frontrunner to replace Bruce, but could the Owls consider Coleman?



https://the72.co.uk/139291/former-wales-and-sunderland-boss-emerges-as-candidate-for-sheffield-wednesday-job/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham's Battle To Keep Star Player Looks To Be In Vain

All summer long, since our dramatic return to the Championship was confirmed, we've feared waking up to the news that Ryan Sessegnon has left our club.

So far, we've been spared that drama although, to be honest, I have to admit there is a sense of inevitability about it.

Those same fears have been heightened over the last forty-eight hours with it now feeling like it is only a matter of days before Ryan moves across London to Tottenham Hotspur.

Those fears have been heightened by an article in The Express that confirms Ryan, as noticed by some Tottenham fans, gave his approval, on social media, to the pictures of the kit the North London side will be wearing next season.

The possibility of the deal being sealed has also been strengthened by the fact that our referenced source also points out Danny rose's impending departure from White Hart Lane would provide the perfect opportunity for Ryan to join them.

However, as you'd expect, any potential fee has to be agreed on, our source implies Fulham want £45 million whilst Spurs are only willing to pay £25 million.

Sat here in the editorial chair I'm expecting a compromise of around £32 million to be reached before we bid farewell to one of our greatest homegrown talents.



https://fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/fulhams-battle-to-keep-star-player-looks-to-be-in-vain/

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Knockaert having Fulham medical

Brighton and Hove Albion winger Anthony Knockaert is currently having a medical with Fulham ahead of a proposed transfer, according to a Sky Sports report.

Fulham reportedly made an approach to the south coast club last week and a fee of around £15m was quoted for the 27 year-old, who has slipped down the pecking order as Graham Potter rejigs his squad following the departure of Chris Hughton. The Whites are believed to view Knockaert, who has twice won promotion from the Championship, as a proven performer in the league and someone who would add both flair and creativity to their side.

Knockaert has scored 27 goals in 139 appearances for Albion and scored fifteen teams when Albion won promotion to the top flight in 2017. He won the Championship player of the season ahead that year, having already starred as Leicester won promotion in 2013/2014. He would join Ivan Cavaleiro and Martell Taylor-Crossdale as Scott Parker's summer acquisitions Fulham prepare for their return to the Championship.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2019/07/knockaert-having-fulham-medical/

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Brighton winger Anthony Knockaert having Fulham medical


Anthony Knockaert is set to join Fulham after undergoing a medical on Friday afternoon

Anthony Knockaert is undergoing a medical at Fulham ahead of a transfer from Brighton, Sky Sports News understands.

The Cottagers are keen to add to their attacking options after seeing Ryan Babel and Jean-Michael Seri leave for Turkish club Galatasaray and winger Andre Schurrle return to Borussia Dortmund following the expiry of his loan deal.

In this transfer window alone, Fulham have already signed Wolves winger Ivan Cavaleiro on an initial loan with option to buy and gave frontman Aleksandar Mitrovic a new five-year deal keeping him at the club until 2024.

The 27-year-old originally joined Albion in 2016 from Standard Liege and went on to make 139 appearances across all competitions, scoring 27 goals during his three years at the Amex Stadium.



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/11766661/brighton-winger-anthony-knockaert-having-fulham-medical

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'A tempting proposition' – Fulham enter the race to sign in-demand Chelsea defender: The verdict

This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Fulham are said to be rivalling West Brom to the potential loan signing of Chelsea youngster, Trevoh Chalobah according to Football Insider.

The report claims that Chelsea are in negotiations with Chalobah over a new deal at Stamford Bridge, before sending him out on loan for the 2019/2020 season.

The 20-year-old spent last year's campaign with Ipswich Town, and was a rare bright-spark for Paul Lambert's side, as they were relegated into League One.

Chalobah made 43 appearances for the Tractor Boys, and has seemingly made a good impression on a number of teams ahead of the new Championship season.

Fulham could be the ideal destination for him as well, as they target an immediate return back into the Premier League.

But would Chalobah be a good signing for Fulham if they landed his signature?

We discuss....

Toby Wilding:

"I can see this being a good signing for Fulham.

"With Jean Michael-Seri now on his way to Galatasaray, The Cottagers could do with a new option in midfield, and Chalobah feels like a good one to consider.

"His recruitment by Chelsea certainly implies there's potential to exploit, and having been on loan with Ipswich last season, Chalobah has experience of the Championship already under his belt, and will be determined to prove himself following the Tractor Boys dismal relegation last season.

"A club such as Fulham – who are expected to push for promotion next season – should give him a good opportunity to do that, and Chelsea themselves may like the idea of sending him there.

"It is close enough for them to easily keep tabs on him, and competing for promotion could help instil that instinct to win that he will need when he returns to Stamford Bridge in 12 months time, when the expectation will be to compete for silverware on a regular basis."

Jacob Potter:

"He's got a point to prove at a higher level, that's for sure.

"Chalobah really stood out for me in the Ipswich team last season, and you could see that he was a big fish in a little pond at Portman Road.

"A move to Fulham could be a tempting proposition for the Chelsea youngster as well, as the location will suit him, and he'll be keen to play with a team that are challenging for promotion to the Premier League.

"He'll be keen to get first-team assurances though, as he won't want to go to a club where he won't be guaranteed regular game time.

"But if he find regular game time in Scott Parker's squad, then I think he could be the missing piece in their promotion jigsaw next season."

George Brooks:

"I think this would be a good signing for Fulham.

"Chalobah is a talented player and he wouldn't be at a club like Chelsea unless they thought he had the potential to make it at the top level.

"The fact that he is in talks over a new deal at Stamford Bridge shows that they rate him highly for the future and I think he's more than capable of playing for one of the top teams in the Championship.

"He has already got some experience at this level and he will be determined to prove that he can succeed in the Championship after he was relegated with Ipswich last season, where he will have learnt a lot.

"He is a big physical presence on the pitch and can play at centre-back or in defensive midfield, so would be a very useful option for Scott Parker to have in his squad."



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/a-tempting-proposition-fulham-enter-the-race-to-sign-in-demand-chelsea-defender-the-verdict/

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Explained: Why Reds are yet to announce the signing of Harvey Elliott

Liverpool have signed Fulham wonderkid Harvey Elliott as has been reported extensively – but the club have yet to officially make an announcement about the deal.

That, though, is nothing to worry about, as Goal.com's Neil Jones has explained.

Elliott is likely to play matches for the U23s when the time comes, although he will train at Melwood with the first team. A similar situation is anticipated to be the case with the other starlet the Reds have brought in this summer, Sepp van den Berg.

The winger, who can also play centrally as more of a number 10, was spotted at Prenton Park when the Reds beat Tranmere Rovers just over a week ago, and it is understood he has already met his soon-to-be teammates.

The Reds pre-season preparations – which Elliott will presumably join in with as soon as the deal can be officially announced – continue overnight with a match against Borussia Dortmund in the US, which starts as 1am UK Tim



https://www.empireofthekop.com/2019/07/19/explained-why-reds-are-yet-to-announce-the-signing-of-harvey-elliott/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham closing in on new attacking recruit

Brighton attacker Anthony Knockaert is undergoing a medical at Fulham ahead of a potential move to Craven Cottage, Sky Sports have reported.

The London club are thought to be in the market for fresh attacking options following the departures of Jean Michael-Seri and Ryan Babel to Galatasaray, as well as the expiration of Andre Schurrle's loan deal from Borussia Dortmund.

It now seems as though they are set to add one such option to their ranks, with Knockaert apparently in the final stages of completing his move to the Championship club.

Earlier in the summer, it was reported by The Sun that Fulham had opened talks with Brighton over a move for the Frenchman, with a fee of £15million reportedly discussed.

Knockaert joined Brighton from Belgian side Standard Liege in January 2016, and has gone onto make 139 appearances and score 27 goals in all competitions for the Seagulls, winning the Championship Player of the Year award in 2017 as the South Coast side won promotion to the Premier League.

If confirmed, Knockaert will become Fulham's second senior signing of the summer transfer window, following fellow winger Ivan Cavaleiro, who has joined on a season-long loan from Wolves.

The Verdict

This is a huge boost for Fulham.

Their summer transfer window has yet to really get going, with no money spent up until now, so news of such a move is likely to be welcomed by their fans, with the previously reported fee signalling a big statement of intent from the club.

Given Knockaert's past experience at this level, there will be a huge swell of confidence around Craven Cottage about the club's potential to push for an immediate return to the Premier League next season.

With Cavaleiro already confirmed and Aleksandar Mitrovic looking set to stay put after signing a new contract, you imagine there will already be plenty of Championship defences feeling the nerves about having to take on this ever more dangerous looking Fulham attack in the coming campaign.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-closing-in-on-new-attacking-recruit/

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 Tottenham to complete third summer signing next week as Pochettino closes in on deal

TOTTENHAM are confident they will complete a deal for Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon next week.

Tottenham have already made two signings this summer with Tanguy Ndombele arriving in a £55m transfer and Jack Clarke joining from Leeds before being loaned back for the season.

And Spurs again look to be ready to raid the Championship with Sessegnon on Mauricio Pochettino's radar.

The north London outfit have been locked in talks with the Cottagers for some time over the £25m-rated winger.

But Football Insider claim a recent breakthrough in negotiations has left Spurs feeling confident of finally getting their man.



https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/792923/Tottenham-transfer-news-Mauricio-Pochettino-Ryan-Sessegnon

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Bristol City will only do transfers on their terms says CEO Mark Ashton in message to Fulham, Sheffield Wednesday and West Ham

"By the time the window slams shut I am sure we will have done some more trading

Bristol City CEO Mark Ashton has reiterated his belief that the Robins still have business to do this summer, but says the club will only trade on their terms.

City have made seven signings so far this window, including a flurry of six in the space of a week at the start of July.

While several young players have left on loan, there have been no permanent departures.

Although he is happy with their trading so far and the shape of the squad, Ashton says there are likely to be more comings and goings before the window closes in just under three weeks.

He caveated that point by saying any deals would be negotiated on the Robins' terms, thanks to the financial muscle afforded them by Bristol Sports' billionaire owner Steve Lansdown.

Speaking to the club's official social media channels, Mark Ashton said: "I think we've done some good transfer business, solid transfer business.

"Yet again the Lansdown family have backed the club, and I think we've still got some more business to do but we're in good shape."

Head coach Lee Johnson is keen to bring in at least one attacking player this summer, and City have been linked with a host of players in the past week, including West Ham's Jordan Hugill, Sheffield Wednesday's Lucas Joao and Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah.

Meanwhile, Callum O'Dowda currently looks the most likely to leave, with Fulham reportedly circling.

Ashton added: "By the time the window slams shut on August 8 I am sure we will have done some more trading, but we trade on our terms.

"I think it's important that the fans understand that, the stability and strength that the Landowns give us allows us to do any business we want to do on the terms of Bristol City.

"I know we've got more business to do, and we're in good shape to do it."



https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mark-ashton-bristol-city-transfers-3113577

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Medical pencilled in: Tottenham close to big-money signing after breakthrough – Sources

Tottenham have pencilled in a medical for Ryan Sessegnon after a breakthrough in negotiations with his club Fulham, Football Insider understands.

The Londoners are closing in on the signing of the left winger, 19, after making progress with their summer-long pursuit of the Cottagers sensation in recent days.

A source with knowledge of Tottenham recruitment has told Football Insider the club are confident of reaching an agreement with Fulham in the coming days after extensive talks over the structure of the deal.

Spurs' squad and principal backroom staff are in Singapore for the first leg of their pre-season tour of Asia, although there is a provision for Sessegnon to undergo a medical in London in the next week.

The north Londoners are expected to pay around £25million for the Fulham sensation, although there have been discussions about the possibility of Sessegnon's twin brother Steven being part of a double deal.

Tottenham are keen to sell Danny Rose by the end of next month after omitting him from their pre-season tour – Football Insider revealed this week that Juventus are lining up a move for him – as Mauricio Pochettino looks to refresh his squad.

Sessegnon has made it clear to the Fulham hierarchy he is keen to move to Tottenham after snubbing their offer of a new contract to replace his current deal, which expires next year.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/medical-pencilled-in-tottenham-close-to-big-money-signing-after-breakthrough-sources/