Sunday Fulham Stuff - 23/08/20...

[WhiteJC]

Fulham keen on QPR star Eze

Fulham are interested in QPR star Ebere Eze.

The 22-year-old forward has been linked with several Premier League clubs.

However, until now the only concrete interest has come from Crystal Palace and West Ham.

But Fulham are ready to make a move for Eze following their return to the top flight.

Palace have been keen on Eze since 2018 and had an approach for him rejected by QPR in January.

More recently, a £12m bid from the Eagles was turned down.

West Ham have indicated that they are interested in Eze.

Rangers have been hoping any deal with the Hammers would involve Jordan Hugill moving in part exchange.

Striker Hugill scored 15 goals for the R's while on loan at Loftus Road last season.

There is every expectation that Eze will leave during the current transfer window, but QPR



https://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/fulham-want-qpr-star-ebere-eze-08202044

[WhiteJC]

Fulham 'ready' to move for QPR's 14-goal starlet

Fulham are 'ready' to make a move for QPR starlet Eberechi Eze, as per a report by West London Sport.

Scott Parker's side are set to battle with Crystal Palace and West Ham United for the youngster's signature.

Fulham are preparing for life in the Premier League next season and have identified Eze as a target. They have so far signed left-back Antonee Robinson from Fulham but are poised to delve into the Football League again for talent.

The Cottagers will have to fork out some serious money if they want to lure Eze to Craven Cottage. Palace have had a £12 million bid for the attacking midfielder rejected by the Hoops as Mark Warburton's side hold out for £20 million.

Eze, who is 22 years old, was QPR's standout player last season and scored 14 goals in all competition.

He started his career at Millwall but moved to QPR in 2016 and made his senior debut in January 2017 in a league fixture against Blackburn Rovers.

Eze then had a loan spell in League Two at Wycombe Wanderers during the 2017/18 season and scored five goals in 22 games for the Chairboys. He has since nailed down a regular starting spot at QPR and has played over 100 games for them now.

The R's will be desperate to keep hold of their key man but every player has their price and it would be hard for them to stand in his way of a Premier League move if his valuation is met.



https://the72.co.uk/188024/fulham-ready-to-move-for-qprs-14-goal-starlet/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham eye Eze move

Fulham are preparing an offer for QPR midfielder Ebere Eze, according to reports this morning.

The Whites are ready to enter the race to land the 22 year-old, who scored fourteen goals in 46 league appearances for Mark Warburton's side last season, which is currently led by Crystal Palace and West Ham. Palace are longstanding admirers of the England under-21 international having had an approach turned down in January but had a £12m offer rejected earlier this month.

West Ham are also keen to take the talented midfielder to the London Stadium, having watched him several times at the end of last season. QPR are looking for suitors to match their £20m valuation – or for West Ham to construct a deal that would see Jordan Hugill, who scored fifteen goals on loan for Rangers last term, move to Loftus Road on a permanent basis.

Fulham's interest could prompt a serious bidding war for Eze, whose current contract with QPR expires a year's time, although the club have an option to trigger a twelve-month extension at that point. He has scored 20 goals in 112 senior appearances since breaking into the Rangers first team in 2017 and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting talents in the Championship.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/08/fulham-eye-eze-move/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fulham-eye-eze-move

[WhiteJC]

CM: Milan remain in race for starlet as Benfica reject €26.5m loan offer from Fulham

It's no secret that Milan are looking to reinforce the midfield ahead of the upcoming season, allowing Ismael Bennacer and Franck Kessie some rest. They are still interested in Florentino Luis, a report claims.

According to Daniele Longo of Calciomercato.com, Fulham made an official offer for the Portuguese starlet: a paid loan worth €1.5m and an option to buy at €25m. Benfica, however, rejected this immediately and are holding out for €30m.

Milan are still in the running, per the reporter, having been linked with Florentino since the January transfer window. That being said, MilanNews.it made it clear that Tiemoue Bakayoko has overtaken the Benfica man on the Rossoneri's wish list.

It remains to be seen if Milan will make a move for the 21-year-old, although the focus seems to be on closing the deal for Bakayoko. In the coming weeks, we should know a lot more about the Rossoneri's strategy.



https://sempremilan.com/cm-milan-remain-in-race-for-starlet-as-benfica-reject-e26-5m-loan-offer-from-fulham

[WhiteJC]

Reading U23 0-6 Fulham U23

Fulham Under-23s picked up a 6-0 win against Reading Under-23s at Bearwood Park in their first pre-season friendly.

Four goals from Fabio Carvalho and one each for Jean-Pierre Tiehi and Ben Davis secured a comfortable win for the side.

The game was split into three 30-minute periods.

Fulham goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond was called into action early, making a diving save to deny a curling free-kick heading straight for the corner.

The young Whites opened the scoring on 20 minutes with a clever free-kick routine. The ball found its way to Davis who calmly slotted into the bottom left corner.

Ashby-Hammond dug his teammates out of trouble again 25 minutes in, blocking a powerful close-range header.

Our lead was soon doubled courtesy of Carvalho. Tiehi played a delightful through ball to the midfielder who slid the ball around the 'keeper before passing it into an open net.

Two soon became three early in the second period. Ziyad Larkeche found Carvalho who fired a beautiful long-range curling shot, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

Carvalho completed his hat-trick 26 minutes into the second period. Ollie O'Neill found Terry Ablade who rolled the ball across to his left where Carvalho was waiting to stroke the ball into the bottom left corner.

Tiehi got in on the action in the final period, wrestling the ball off the defender before pushing it onto his right and slotting the ball into the net to make it five.


Starting Lineup:

T Ashby-Hammond, L Duru, Z Larkeche, J Aina, I Odutayo, R De Havilland, B Davis, J Harris, F Carvalho, T Ablade, JP Tiehi

Subs:

D Las, Ollie O'Neill, S Hilton




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/august/22/match-report

[WhiteJC]

Carvalho hits four as Fulham U23s hammer Reading

Fabio Carvalho grabbed a hat-trick as Fulham's under 23s put six past Reading in their first pre-season friendly this morning.

The England youth international was in sparkling form – picking up from where he left off after being voted Fulham's scholar of the year and signing a professional contract in May. Ben Davis and Jean-Pierre Tiehi added further goals as the visitors eased to a comfortable victory. The Fulham side featured former Chelsea defender Jordan Aina.

Reading made a bright start with Taye Ashby-Hammond called into action on a couple of occasions before Fulham took the lead when a smart free-kick saw Davis drive home from just outside the box. A tremendous through ball from Tiehi then released Carvalho, who rounded the goalkeeper with consummate ease and rolled in a second.

Carvalho then produced a beautiful curler from distance after being fed by summer signing Ziyad Larkeche to make it three and completed his hat-trick with another fine finish from a move featuring Ollie O'Neil and Terry Ablade. He netted a fourth before Tiehi then grabbed a goal for himself by robbing a Reading defender of possession, racing in on goal and finishing with real confidence.

FULHAM UNDER 23s: T. Ashby-Hammond; Duru, Larkeche, Aina, Odutayo; De Havilland, Harris, Davis; Carvalho, Ablade, Tiehi. Subs: Las, O'Neill, Hilton.



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[WhiteJC]

Ex-Chelsea Fullback Jordan Aina Training With Fulham With A View To Possible

Talented Nigerian defender Jordan Aina is training with English Premier League new boys Fulham with a view to a possible transfer, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

The 18-year-old, younger brother of Super Eagles star Ola Aina, is in search of a new club after he ran out of contract with Chelsea at the end of the 2019-2020 season.

Having said that, he signed a rolling one-month extension with The Blues in July 2020.

Jordan Aina was named in the starting line-up as Fulham U23s thrashed Reading FC 5-0 at Bearwood Park in their first pre-season game on Saturday, a friendly which was split into three thirty-minute periods.

A former England U16 international, Aina tried his luck with Swansea City in February after he was told he wasn't going to get a new deal at Stamford Bridge.

He joined Chelsea at U9 level and is credited with 14 appearances for the club in the U18 Premier League.

Idris Odutayo, Sylvester Jasper, Michael Olakigbe and Timmy Abraham played for Fulham youth teams last season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=37144

[WhiteJC]

'Dry no' – Club rejected Fulham's offer for player in last few hours, asking price set at €30m

Fulham have joined AC Milan in the chase for Benfica's Florentino Luís, according to Calciomercato.

Benfica director Tiago Pinto recently suggested the midfielder wants to continue at the club and wouldn't prefer a move to Milan this summer.

However, Pinto's comments have not put off the Serie A side, and they continue to observe the 20-year-old's situation.

It has also not stopped the Rossoneri from working with the player's agent to strike out a deal.

The Italian club's 'goal' is to take Florentino on a two-year loan deal with an obligation to buy, but their proposal did not convince the Primeira Liga side, who are 'asking for €30m'.

The report also adds Benfica have rejected Fulham's offer in the last few hours.

Calciomercato state the Cottagers 'have put €1m on the plate for the loan and €25m for the redemption'. There's a 'dry no from Lisbon' for Fulham's latest bid.

Milan's priority is to sign Chelsea's Tiémoué Bakayoko. Once they seal the deal for the Frenchman, they plan on returning for Florentino in the second half of September, with a hope Benfica would reduce the Portugal U20 international's asking price.

Milan focusing on Bakayoko could give Fulham time to improve their offer for Florentino, if they really intend on having him at Craven Cottage next season.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/dry-no-club-rejected-fulhams-offer-player-last-hours-asking-price-set-e30m/

[WhiteJC]

Report: Fulham want to sign Juventus goalkeeper Mattia Perin

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Fulham are looking to sign Juventus goalkeeper Mattia Perin as the club looks to strengthen their upcoming Premier League survival bid.

The Whites gained promotion to the Premier League via the Championship playoffs.

Scott Parker's side bounced back at the first attempt following relegation in 2018-19, and this time they will want to make a better fist of it.

A new goalkeeper to challenge Marek Rodak appears to be a priority.

And reports from the Gazzetta dello Sport claims Perin is in their sights.

The Juve shot-stopper has barely had a look in during his time in Turin, as he remains firmly behind Wojciech Szczesny and legend Gigi Buffon in the pecking order.

Perin has long been linked with a move away. In the summer of 2019, Calciomercato claim an agreement to join Aston Villa was close before Perin opted against it.

The 27-year-old may now fancy a permanent move after tasting regular first-team action at fellow Serie A side Genoa during a loan spell this past season.

Capped twice as a full Italy international, Perin will surely need to feature regularly again this term if he harbours hopes of making Italy's European Championship squad.

Fulham, meanwhile, will want to learn from their disastrous spending spree in 2018.

The Whites ripped up their promotion-winning squad with an influx of signings which topped £100 million. Now, the London club must be wiser in the transfer market.

With Perin entering the final two years of his Juve deal and the Serie A club keen to downsize the squad, Fulham may feel they can get him for a bargain fee.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/08/22/report-fulham-want-to-sign-juventus-goalkeeper-mattia-perin/

[WhiteJC]

Warburton admits Eze was left out because of interest in QPR star

Mark Warburton has admitted Ebere Eze was left out of the QPR squad for the friendly against AFC Wimbledon because of interest in the forward.

Several Premier League clubs have been linked with Eze in recent months, although until recently the only concrete interest has come from Crystal Palace and West Ham.

However, a number of others have now indicated that they want him.

Those clubs include Fulham, who are ready to make a move for Eze following their promotion back to the Premier League.

West Brom, also recently promoted, have indicated that they are interested too.

Several others are monitoring the situation.

Rangers manager Warburton therefore decided not to select Eze for the game at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, where the 22-year-old watched from the directors' box as the hosts cruised to a 3-0 win.

But Warburton insisted that "nothing new" in terms of approaches for Eze had led to the decision to leave him out.

Warburton explained: "There's interest. That's not a secret. Everyone knows what's going on.

"I felt it was best for him not to be involved. It was my decision.

"It was my choice and everyone was in agreement that it was the right thing to do.

"There's so much going on and he's a young guy and he's dealing with the outside interest and pressure exceedingly well. He deserves a lot of credit for that.

"He's a QPR player and he'll be with us training on Monday as far as I'm aware."

QPR wait for improved bids
Palace have been keen on Eze since 2018 and had an approach for him rejected by QPR in January.

More recently, a £12m bid from the Eagles was turned down.

West Ham have indicated that they are interested in Eze.

Rangers have been hoping any deal with the Hammers would involve Jordan Hugill moving in part exchange.

Striker Hugill scored 15 goals for the R's while on loan at Loftus Road last season.

There is every expectation that Eze will leave during the current transfer window, but QPR want at least £20m for him.

"If any player attracts interest there's a value on that asset," said Warburton.

"If an asset is sought by another party, here's the value, pay the value and the deal is done."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/qpr-ebere-eze-interest-mark-warburton-update-210820202

[WhiteJC]

Claim From Italy: Fulham See Bid For Leeds United Target Rejected

Fulham have seen a proposal to sign Leeds United and AC Milan target Florentino Luis knocked back by Benfica, it has been claimed in Italy.

The 21-year-old defensive midfielder is a highly rated talent at Benfica, but lost his place in the starting eleven in the second half of last season.

Benfica are believed to be ready to cash in on him this summer and he has been linked with a move to Italy with AC Milan interested in securing a deal to sign him.

Leeds also have Florentino firmly on their radar and have been rated as the most likely club to sign him, but another Premier League side have made a concrete move to land him.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato.com, Fulham put in a loan offer worth €1.5m with an option to make the move permanent for a figure of €25m.

But Benfica promptly rejected the offer and are holding out for more money before agreeing to let the defensive midfielder leave.

It has been claimed that the Portuguese giants want a package worth €30m and do not want to compromise on that figure.

It remains to be seen whether Fulham go back with an improved bid given the fact that their first offer is not far away from Benfica's valuation of Florentino.

Leeds and AC Milan appear to have yet to make official bids for the midfielder.



https://insidefutbol.com/2020/08/22/claim-from-italy-fulham-see-bid-for-leeds-united-target-rejected/468911/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham lining up Erlic deal

Fulham are interested in signing Croatian centre back Martin Erlic from Spezia, according to reports this evening.

The Whites are eager to bolster their defensive options ahead of their return to the Premier League next month. The Sunday Express suggests that Fulham have been impressed with Erlic's performances as he helped Spezia earn promotion to Serie A last season – and have made an approach to sign the centre half. The Londoners are likely to face competition from other English sides, with Crystal Palace and Southampton also tracking the ex-Croatia under-19 international.

Erlic, now 22, came through the Dinamo Zagreb youth set-up and impressed enough during a spell with Croatian outfit Rajika to earn a move to Italy. He moved to Sassuolo when Parma plunged into bankruptcy but, despite impressing in the Croatian youth ranks, failed to make a senior appearance as the Black and Greens established themselves as European contenders in Serie A. Erlic had loan spells with Sudtirol and Spezia, who signed him on a permanent basis despite an injury-hit loan. The Little Eagles reaped the rewards when Erlic made 27 appearances last term as Vincenzo Italiano's men won promotion via the play-offs.

Sassuolo still retain a 50% sell-on clause on Erlic, which means Spezia will look to maximise any transfer fee from English suitors this summer.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/08/fulham-lining-up-erlic-deal/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fulham-lining-up-erlic-deal