Saturday Fulham Stuff - 05/09/20...

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Bristol City see off Watford to land Fulham's Alfie Mawson and end centre-back chase

Robins have long monitored the former Swansea City defender - and they're about to get their man


Fulham defender Alfie Mawson

Bristol City have made a major breakthrough in the transfer market as they look to recruit a central defender.

The Robins are closing in on the signing of Alfie Mawson of Fulham with the 26-year-old looking to leave Craven Cottage for more first-team opportunities.

City made enquiries last month over taking the former Brentford player on loan from the Cottagers following their promotion, but a deal was deemed too expensive.

However, CEO Mark Ashton has remained patient and the Robins have been able to push for a financial deal that suits all parties, with several other interested clubs falling by the wayside. Norwich City have instead moved for Ben Gibson, and QPR have picked up Rob Dickie, while Watford have been seen off too, as originally reported by Adam Levanthal on Friday evening.

And now as reported by Sky Sports on Thursday, City have since returned for the 26-year-old and they have now struck an agreement with the Cottagers with Mawson expected at Ashton Gate this weekend for a medical.

The defender could even attend City's Carabao Cup clash against Exeter City on Saturday afternoon.

Nathan Baker's hamstring injury has accelerated the need for a new centre-back before the start of the Championship campaign on September 12. And with Tomas Kalas away with the Czech Republic, and Ashley Williams unlikely to sign a new deal, head coach Dean Holden has been left with just two recognised centre-backs against the Grecians in Taylor Moore and Zak Vyner.

Mawson will bring considerable Championship and Premier League experience with the former Swansea defender called up by England in 2018 due to his performances in the top-flight.

Mawson's time at Fulham has not been successful on a personal level having suffered relegation in his first season and then losing his place under Scott Parker behind Michael Hector and Tim Ream. But now a new opportunity beckons.

And there could be multiple dealings with the West London side. City remain interested in Mawson's Fulham teammate Steven Sessegnon but a decision on the England Under-21 international right-back is not expected until next week with Scott Parker in two minds over whether to allow him to leave on loan.

Mawson would be City's third summer signing following midfielder Joe Williams and striker Chris Martin, who joined this week. All three possess significant Championship experience.

His arrival would also, in effect, end a four-year pursuit by CEO Mark Ashton who first tried to sign Mawson for the Robins when he was at Barnsley having played under former head coach Lee Johnson.

The Robins have a vacant no.5 shirt for a new defensive signing.



https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/bristol-city-see-watford-land-4487613

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Fulham hold talks with Torino over a move for former Chelsea youngster Ola Aina with Premier League new boys keen to secure versatile full-back to bolster their squad

    Fulham are keen to add to their squad ahead of the Premier League season
    The Cottagers have held talks with Torino over a move for full-back Ola Aina
    They are keen to bring former Chelsea youngster Aina back to west London 

Fulham have held talks with Torino over a move for former Chelsea youngster Ola Aina.

The Premier League new boys are keen to bring versatile defender Aina back to London to bolster their squad ahead of their top-flight return.

Fulham have discussed a loan move with an obligation to buy Aina, 23, from his Serie A side next summer.


Fulham have held talks with Torino over Ola Aina with the Cottagers keen to bolster their squad

Aina moved to Torino from Chelsea for £9m last season. The Italians made his switch permanent after he impressed on loan during the previous campaign.

Aina, who has been used as a full back on both sides, came through the ranks at Fulham's neighbours Chelsea, and made six appearances for the club before moving to Italy for regular senior football.

He has also enjoyed a loan spell at Hull.


The versatile full-back is an academy product of Fulham's west London rivals Chelsea

Since their Championship play-off final win Fulham have already arranged a loan with an obligation deal to sign midfielder Mario Lemina from Southampton.

Harrison Reed and Anthony Knockaert's loans spells have been made permanent moves and left-back Antonee Robinson joined for £2m from Wigan.

Crucially manager Scott Parker has also been tied down on a new three year deal.

   
Fulham have secured the signings of Mario Lemina and Harrison Reed from Southampton

Defender Alfie Mawson is on the verge of leaving Craven Cottage temporarily with Bristol City set to win the race to sign him, beating rivals including Watford to secure the 26 year-old on a season-long loan.

Mawson, who joined Fulham in 2018, is due in Bristol this weekend to finalise the move.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8699681/Fulham-hold-talks-Torino-former-Chelsea-youngster-Ola-Aina.html

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Premier League predictions: Robbie Savage backs Man Utd to emerge as Liverpool's main challengers

ROBBIE SAVAGE COLUMN: The Premier League resumes next weekend with plenty of summer transfer moves creating a fascinating landscape in the battle to catch Liverpool at the top

Just 41 days since the extended 2019-20 Premier League season finished, it's time for the crystal ball again.

A new campaign kicks off in earnest next weekend – behind closed doors for starters, although we hope fans will return before too long – and English football's landscape has changed dramatically.

Only four of the top flight's 20 clubs have changed their manager over the last 12 months, a welcome shift towards stability.

With a month to go before the transfer window closes, my predictions for each club below are subject to amendment because we won't know the final make-up of squads until next month.

But it's never too early to put your head on the block, so here goes... but please don't take my forecasts personally. It's only my opinion.

Champions – LIVERPOOL

Jurgen Klopp is not the sort of manager to let the grass grow under his feet. They have stockpiled 196 points over the last two seasons and that defensive unit, with Virgil van Dijk at its heart, will be the foundation for more success. They have only lost four games out of the last 77 in the Premier League – that's some going.

Last season: 1st

Title odds: 2-1

Runners-up – MANCHESTER UNITED

I can't wait to see United's midfield three of Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and new signing Donny van de Beek supplying the ammunition for Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial. Add a world-class centre-back and a top-class goalscorer and they will be the real deal.

Last season: 3rd

Odds: 12-1

3rd – CHELSEA

Owner Roman Abramovich means business – he's given manager Frank Lampard £230 million to spend this summer and Chelsea have brought in serious quality. Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr will build on Lampard's excellent first season in charge – but he needs a world-class goalkeeper.

Last season: 4th

Odds: 11-1

4th – MANCHESTER CITY

If Lionel Messi wasn't staying at Barcelona, all bets would be off. City's suspect back line has been shored up by £41m Nathan Ake and the 18-point gap to champions Liverpool last season looks a bridge too far.

Last season: 2nd

Odds: 8-11 fav

5th - ARSENAL

Mikel Arteta has done unbelievably well to win the FA Cup and toughen up the Gunners' soft centre since he took over from Unai Emery. Arsenal have already beaten Liverpool, City and Chelsea on his watch, and if they get off to a good start, they could finish in the top four... although I think it's too soon to talk about a title challenge.

Last season: 8th

Odds: 40-1

6th – WOLVES

They looked tired after an exhausting campaign in Europe spanning 383 days last season, and losing Matt Doherty to Tottenham is a blow because he was such an important component in Nuno Espirito Santo's side. But Wolves are compact, good to watch and, with a couple of additions to freshen up the squad, their prospects look bright again.

Last season: 7th

Odds: 100-1

7th – TOTTENHAM

If they are as entertaining as the All Or Nothing documentary, Spurs will be worth watching. But the meter is ticking over to 13 years without a trophy and they should prioritise the cups. Jose Mourinho did well to finish second with Manchester United in 2017 and it would be even more remarkable if he did it again with Spurs this season.

Last seasaon: 6th

Odds: 50-1

8th – EVERTON

Like Tottenham, their barren run without a trophy – now 25 years – is unacceptable for a big club. Carlo Ancelotti is a proven winner who didn't come to Merseyside to tread water, and he has lined up an exciting, new-look midfield. But in the Premier League jungle, I can't see them breaking into the top four yet.

Last season: 12th

Odds: 150-1

9th – SOUTHAMPTON

Can Danny Ings replicate his remarkable form of last season, when his 22 Premier League goals took him within a whisker of the Golden Boot? It will be very hard to do it again, but Saints' revival after that humiliating 9-0 annihilation by Leicester was tremendous. I fancy them to finish in the top half.

Last season: 11th

Odds: 200-1

10th – LEICESTER

There was an air of disappointment when Brendan Rodgers' side missed out on the Champions League, but let's get real: A top-half finish, European football and maybe a cup run would still be a great achievement. Ricardo Pereira is on the way back from injury and James Maddison has signed a new contract. Keep the faith.

Last season: 5th

Odds: 100-1

11th – SHEFFIELD UNITED

Beware the so-called second season syndrome, and goalkeeper Dean Henderson going back to Manchester United is a blow, but Aaron Ramsdale's return from Bournemouth as his replacement looks sound business. If the Blades prosper again, it would be remarkable – and I fancy them to stay up comfortably.

Last season: 9th

Odds: 500-1

12th – BURNLEY

Business as usual at Turf Moor. Manager Sean Dyche will be handed one of the lowest budgets in the division, and he will turn a handful of beans into a feast. The way he gets the best out of his players every year is extraordinary. Dwight McNeil is an exciting talent and striker Chris Wood is under-rated.

Last season: 10th

Odds: 500-1

13th – WEST HAM

They woke up, in the nick of time, last season and Michail Antonio's goals fired the Hammers to safety, but they should be operating much higher up the table. Tomas Soucek looks a good signing - goalscoring midfielders are always worth their weight in gold – and David Moyes deserves more credit for leading them to safety in July.

Last season: 16th

Odds: 500-1

14th – LEEDS

Marcelo Bielsa coaching in the Premier League will be one of the most fascinating sub-plots of the season and, as an attacking force, record signing Rodrigo will give Leeds a focal point. I hope they do well, and they could finish anywhere between the top six and the bottom three, but I suspect it will be somewhere in the middle.

Last season: 1st (Championship)

Odds: 200-1

15th – BRIGHTON

After fighting hard to keep centre half Ben White, I hope he is given the chance to show why manager Graham Potter rates him so highly. Brighton's biggest problem will be at the other end of the pitch, where there will be a lot of responsibility on Neal Maupay to score the goals to keep Albion out of harm's way.

Last season: 15th

Odds: 500-1

16th – CRYSTAL PALACE

Only Norwich scored fewer goals than Palace last season, and the Eagles finished with just one point from their last eight games, so the alarm bells are ringing. New signing Eberechi Eze looks an exciting addition, but if Wilf Zaha's wish is granted and he is sold, Roy Hodgson will need all his experience to keep them up.

Last season: 14th

Odds: 750-1

17th – NEWCASTLE

After the takeover that never happened, the Geordie faithful's expectations have been lowered again. Steve Bruce did a fantastic job to keep Newcastle out of trouble last season, and I love watching Allan Saint-Maximin's flair, but they need a couple of quality additions before the window shuts – otherwise they could be in trouble.

Last season: 13th

Odds: 750-1

18th – ASTON VILLA

It's pretty straightforward. If Jack Grealish stays, Villa will stay up, but if he leaves, they will go down, simple as that – and now he's been called up by England, he'll be even more prominent in the shop window. Looking back, taking eight points from their last four games was a miraculous escape.

Last season: 17th

Odds: 1,000-1


Fulham are back in the Premier League under the guidance of Scott Parker (Image: Getty Images)

19th – FULHAM

Scott Parker won't make the same mistakes Fulham made two years ago, when they threw £120 million at new players and the jigsaw pieces simply didn't fit. I would love to give them half a chance of survival, and many neutrals will be willing them to do it, but I don't see enough firepower to support Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Last season: 3rd (Championship)

Odds: 1,000-1

20th - WEST BROM

It's good to see Slaven Bilic back in the top flight, and the Baggies will undoubtedly play attractive football. But they simply don't have enough quality at both ends of the pitch or enough squad depth. Hopefully they will prove me wrong, but there is no shame being a 'yo-yo' club rebounding between the top two divisions.

Last season: 2nd (Championship)

Odds: 1,000-1



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/premier-league-predictions-robbie-savage-22631981