Tuesday Fulham Stuff - 23/07/19...

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Fulham keeping tabs on Kosovo international Elbasan Rashani who could be available for £500,000

    Fulham are eyeing up £500,000 move for Kosovo international Elbasan Rashani
    Cottagers are keen to add a wide player to their ranks ahead of the new season
    Rashani, 26, earned rave reviews while playing for Norwegian side Odd Ballklub

Fulham are tracking Kosovo international Elbasan Rashani as they plot an instant return to the Premier League.

The Cottagers are keen to add a wide player to their ranks ahead of the Championship season and Rashani who plays for Norwegian side Odd Ballklubb, is on their radar.

Rashani, 26, has earned rave reviews in Norway for his performances and has attracted interest across Europe.


Elbasan Rashani, pictured playing for Brondby IF in 2015, is a potential target for Fulham

He's helped Odd, who feared a relegation battle, into second place in Norway's top-flight, behind FK Molde - Manchester United Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer's former club.

In his previous 48 games, Rashani has notched 11 goals and proved 13 assists - and Fulham's data analysis team have been alerted to the attacker's form.

Rashani, who represented Norway at junior level, could be available for around £500,000.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7273819/Transfer-news-Fulham-keeping-tabs-Kosovo-international-Elbasan-Rashani.html

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'This is an excellent move' – Fulham reach agreement to sign winger: 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 manager Scott Parker has bolstered his ranks with the signing of Brighton winger Anthony Knockaert on a season-long loan, with a view to a permanent deal, as confirmed on the Cottagers club website.

The Frenchman, 27, spent three-and-a-half years at Brighton, scoring 27 goals in 139 appearances and was named the EFL's Championship Player of the Year in 2017 as Albion won promotion to the Premier League.

The clubs have agreed an undisclosed fee for Knockaert, with a permanent move to Scott Parker's side expected to go through next summer.

So will Knockaert prove a hit at Craven Cottage? Is it a good signing for Fulham?

We discuss........

Josh Cole

"This signing is without question great news for Fulham who needed a new winger following the recent departures of Andre Schurrle, Lazar Markovic and Ryan Babel.

"A proven performer at Championship level, Knockaert has achieved promotion on two occasions from this division with Leicester City and Brighton & Hove Albion and will undoubtedly be looking to make it a hat-trick at Craven Cottage during the upcoming season.

"In his most recent second tier campaign with the Seagulls, the Frenchman fired in 15 goals whilst also providing nine assists for his team-mates with his outstanding levels of consistency leading to him being rightfully named the league's Player of the Year.

"If Knockaert can replicate this form under the guidance of Scott Parker, there is no reason why Fulham cannot secure an immediate return to the Premier League in 2020 and thus banish the memories of what was an awful showing last season."

Ned Holmes

"I think this is an excellent move by Fulham and gives them a really dangerous front three.

"Knockaert has proven at both Brighton and Leicester that he can thrive in the Championship and his record in the league, 33 goals and 29 assists, shows that Fulham have got a player that should score and create goals.

"Last time he was in the Championship he put together a scintillating season, grabbing 15 goals and nine assists on his way to a place in the team of the season, and if he can get back to that sort of form Fulham will be well on their way.

"He also brings some vital experience of getting promoted, having done it with both Leicester City and Brighton."

George Brooks

"This is an excellent move.

"Even though he didn't quite live up to expectations in the Premier League with Brighton, Knockaert is still a fantastic player and was magnificent the last time he was in the Championship.

"He was arguably the best player in the division when Brighton won promotion in 2016/17 and without his goals and assists the Seagulls may not have finished in the top two.

"He's got pace, skill, great technical ability and will be able to both create and score goals from out wide.

"On top of that, he's also got plenty of experience in the Championship and knows what it takes to win promotion to the Premier League.

"I think he's a fantastic signing for the Whites and I fully expect him to make an impact next season."



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/this-is-an-excellent-move-fulham-reach-agreement-to-sign-winger-the-verdict/

[WhiteJC]

'He could become a talisman' – Fulham complete deal for Premier League man: Six Pointer

Fulham have signed Anthony Knockaert from Brighton on an initial loan deal which could made permanent for a fee believed to be around £15m.

The Frenchman spent three-and-a-half years at Brighton and immediately changed the fortunes of the Seagulls after signing, with the club gaining promotion in his first full season.

He was named as the Championship Player of the Year in that season [2016/17], scoring 15 and assisting nine as Brighton finished second, and Fulham will certainly hope he can replicate that form this season.

Here, our FLW Six Pointer takes a closer look at the move and what the Championship has to look forward to following the return of Knockaert.

What will he bring to the team?

"Knockaert was a massive handful in his last spell in the Championship due to a variety of reasons, but he is so threatening because of his flair and direct style.

"He takes the game to opponents and constantly applies pressure to defences by running at his full-back. He is able to cut inside or take the ball down the line and that unpredictability makes him a constant nuisance.

"He is capable of scoring brilliant goals and coming up with match-winning moments too so will be worth many points for The Cottagers over the course of a season."

Is he worth the price Fulham will pay for him?

"The potential price of £15m could be great value for money for Fulham. It will make Knockaert one of the most expensive Championship signings ever along with Britt Assombalonga, and it is fair to say he is the better player of the two.

"At 27 he could also be approaching his peak, and after disappointing in the Premier League he has a point to prove, so we still may not have seen the best of what he has to offer, which promises a great deal.

"He could become a talisman for Fulham, and if he is the key factor in a promotion campaign then he would be worth every penny."

How much of a statement have Fulham made with this signing?

"This is a hugely significant capture, one that will have many teams feeling envious and others feeling fearful.

"Knockaert was the best player in the division only two years ago and he could easily be the best once again. Fulham have seen some notable departures of late so it was important they showed how serious they are about promotion.

"Along with the extension of Mitrovic's contract, Fulham have shown they are amongst the favourites for promotion, and with those two in attack there won't be many teams who can stop them."

Could he be the difference in gaining promotion?

"When he arrived at Brighton he brought goals and assists, but also a belief they could win every game they played, and his creativity was ultimately the difference Brighton needed to go from play-off contenders to promotion winners.

"Like Brighton in 2017, Fulham have a strong squad throughout, but prior to Knockaert signing they didn't have a game-changer in their ranks, a player who can produce a bit of magic when coming up against defensively minded teams.

"Knockaert is able to unlock defences and score goals out of nowhere, and in those crucial games towards the end of the season he will be the key to winning matches."

What does this mean for Sessegnon's Fulham future?

"It looks increasingly likely that Sessegnon will depart Fulham this summer, with Spurs edging closer to a £25m deal.

"Although Knockaert is often utilised on the right, it is possible that Parker will use him as a replacement for Sessegnon, and give him instructions to play crosses in to Mitrovic, who almost guarantees goals at this level.

"Fulham are already planning to spend big in preparation for the incoming funds from Sessegnon's move and therefore it looks unlikely the 19-year-old will stay."

Is it a worry that Knockaert may struggle to step up to the Premier League if Fulham are promoted?

"Overall he has struggled to make an impact on the Premier League in the two years since Brighton's promotion, but he has shown glimpses of the talent he has with the occasional sublime goal.

"He was settled at Brighton and the team was based around him so he should have performed better. However, Fulham are a much more attacking and expansive side than Brighton, and that should really suit Knockaert.

"He will be given the freedom to roam and not focus too much on any defensive responsibilities, and therefore he should be effective in whichever league he plays in for the club."



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/he-could-become-a-talisman-fulham-complete-deal-for-premier-league-man-six-pointer/

[WhiteJC]

 Liverpool beat Southampton to deal for Premier League record-breaker

SOUTHAMPTON were in the hunt for Harvey Elliott before he opted to join Liverpool.

Elliott, 16, has joined the Reds from Fulham under freedom of contract.

However, the Anfield heavyweights are yet to make a compensation offer to the west London outfit.

According to The Guardian, Jurgen Klopp wasn't the only Premier League boss battling it out for his signature.

It's suggested Ralph Hasenhuttl was also vying for Elliott's services.

Last season, the exciting attacker became the youngest player ever to feature in a Premier League fixture.

Elliott was an 88th minute substitute in a 1-0 away defeat to Wolves in May.

Journalist and transfer expert Duncan Castles says Fulham believe Elliott is as good as Borussia Dortmund ace Jadon Sancho.

"They consider Elliott to be on a par with Jadon Sancho, and we've seen what happened to Jadon Sancho after he left Manchester City for £8m," he said on The Transfer Window podcast.

"He went to Germany, is now valued at over €100m and was Manchester United's principle target for that right-wing position in this window before they had to back off because the price was so high.

"So I think this is going to be an interesting little conflict between two English clubs.

"In a sense though, it could have been worse for them. They could have had the situation that West Brom have suffered with Louie Barry, an England youth striker who's just signed for Barcelona.

"If Elliott had chosen to go overseas rather than to Liverpool, they would only have received €270,000 of FIFA mandated training compensation.

"But we'll see where this goes. I think the highest fee that a tribunal has paid to date or determined to date was for Danny Ings in 2016, which was £6.5m plus £1.5m of performance-related bonuses and 20 per cent of his sell-on.

"Fulham are targeting a higher price than that for this player Elliott."



https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/793519/Liverpool-transfer-news-gossip-Harvey-Elliott-Southampton?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-star-football+%28Daily+Star+%3A%3A+Football+Feed%29

[WhiteJC]

Report: Aston Villa have Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli on radar

Aston Villa reportedly have Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli on their radar this summer.

According to the Daily Mail, the 27-year-old is being eyed by the Midlands giants and is also being considered by Bournemouth.

The report explains that Villa are trying to secure a deal for shot-stopper Tom Heaton too.

Bettinelli played just eight times across all competitions last season for Fulham and sat injured during the second half of the campaign, as his side were relegated from the Premier League.

The 6ft 4in colossus was drafted into the England senior squad back in September 2018 after impressing Gareth Southgate, but was unable to win his first cap.

He's preparing for the Championship as it stands at Craven Cottage, but does have admirers from the top-flight.

TBR's View:

Villa boss Dean Smith has already been extremely busy this summer and is building a squad that looks ready to make an impact in the top-flight.

Jed Steer finished last season as number one and helped earn promotion via the play-offs, but reports are linking the club with signing a new goalkeeper.

Heaton looks the preferred target as it stands and the Mail's report details a £4million bid has already been turned down.

Bettinelli would be a far more risky addition for Villa and they may be better off handing Steer an opportunity.



https://tbrfootball.com/report-aston-villa-have-fulham-goalkeeper-marcus-bettinelli-on-radar/

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Tottenham set to sign Ryan Sessegnon from Fulham and two players could move in exchange

Tottenham are edging closer to completing their third signing of the summer with Ryan Sessegnon set to join in a deal worth £20m plus add-ons.

The 19-year-old has been tipped to move to Spurs for some time and there has finally been a breakthrough in discussions between the two clubs for the England U21 international.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Fulham's interest in Josh Onomah and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou has helped the deal progress with both players no longer required at Spurs.

Although Fulham are interested in the pair, it is unclear whether they will be included in the deal for Sessegnon or whether they will be bought separately with the funds raised from his sale.

Onomah, 22, has spent the past two seasons on loan in the Championship with Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday, while Nkoudou, 24, has had spells with Burnley and Monaco.

Nkoudou's only Premier League appearance for Spurs last season came in a four-minute cameo against Fulham in January when he supplied an injury-time assist for Harry Winks.

Neither player was included in Spurs' pre-season tour squad to Singapore and China and were left at home in London along with Danny Rose and Vincent Janssen who are also up for sale.

Spurs were linked with a move for Sessegnon last summer before Fulham's promotion to the Premier League scuppered their chances of striking a deal.

However, Fulham's immediate relegation to the Championship coupled with Sessegnon's contract expiring next summer galvanised Spurs' interest.

Should Spurs seal a deal for Sessegnon, he will become the club's third new signing, following on Jack Clark and Tanguy Ndombele, bought from Leeds United and Lyon respectively.



Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2019/07/22/tottenham-set-sign-ryan-sessegnon-fulham-two-players-move-exchange-10438281/?ito=cbshare

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Why would we want either of those 2 players Onomah could nt get a regular game in Championship.