Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 23/09/20...

[WhiteJC]

Games for mid-week 23/09
Another Carabao Cup game, this time against Sheffield Wednesday at the Cottage

So we get to play Wednesday this Wednesday evening in the nest round of the Carabao Cup.

I think that this is a "must win" game, if only for team confidence, loosing both of our first league games needs to be countered, a cup run could be just the ticket!
Wednesday won't be a push-over, Gary Monk's team has a good record playing Fulham with 4 wins, 2 defeats and a draw.

COYW's

come on over to the forum and join in the discussion...
https://bit.ly/2UDAjaY



http://www.friendsoffulham.com/wordpress/?p=1426

[WhiteJC]

Watford "in talks" over deal for ex-Spurs and Fulham youngster

The Watford Observer has reported that Watford are continuing talks over a deal for Udinese defender William Troost-Ekong, with manager Vladimir Ivic also addressing the links.

At the weekend we covered reports here on The72 claiming that Watford are close to signing Udinese defender William Troost-Ekong. Now, a fresh update has emerged regarding the club's rumoured interest in the Nigerian.

As per a report from the Watford Observer, the Hornets' deal is not as far along as it seems. A deal is yet to be agreed and while Troost-Ekong is a player the club wants, other targets are also being considered in the event of a deal not being reached.

Watford boss Vladimir Ivic did speak about the links with Troost-Ekong, adding that a he would be a player who would help the club. However, he did remain coy on the direct links, saying:

"I know him as a quality player and he will be one of the players who will help us in the future, if he will come, if he will join us. I cannot speak now because he's still not with us."

Troost-Ekong, 27, spent time in Spurs and  Fulham's youth ranks in the early stages of his career. Since leaving England in 2013, the defender has spent with FC Groningen, FC Dordrecht, KAA Gent, FK Haugesund, Turkish outfit Bursaspor and Udinese.

The defender has represented Nigeria 39 times across all competitions, taking up the captaincy in recent games.



https://the72.co.uk/193375/watford-in-talks-over-deal-for-ex-spurs-and-fulham-youngster/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham continue to track EFL player, could be part of double swoop

Watford defender Craig Dawson continues to be tracked by Fulham, who are looking to strengthen their defensive options after a leaky start to the Premier League season. 

Scott Parker's side were beaten 3-0 by Arsenal on the opening weekend of the season, with Leeds United then firing four past them on Saturday in a thrilling 4-3 contest.

It's clear to see that Parker is trying to find the right mix of going after opponents, but also tightening things up at the back.

Sky Sports' Transfer Centre (21/09, 19:20), is reporting that Fulham remain interested in signing Dawson from Watford, whilst Parker's side are in talks with Sassuolo about the signing of Marlon, another centre-back.

Dawson, 30, switched West Brom for Watford last summer, moving to Vicarage Road after period of uncertainty at the Hawthorns.

In 29 appearances for Watford last season, the defender scored twice, but he was unable to stop the Hornets slipping into the Championship for the first time in five seasons.

Dawson is yet to feature in 2020/21 for Watford, but he was an unused substitute last time out as the Hornets were held to a goalless draw by Sheffield Wednesday.

The Verdict

When you look at Fulham, it's quite obvious that they need to tighten up their defensive unit after two fixtures in the Premier League.

An experienced head like Dawson could be excellent for them and really help to shore things up.

With just weeks of the window remaining, this feels like a key piece of business.




https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-continue-to-track-efl-player-could-be-part-of-double-swoop/

[WhiteJC]

Report: Southampton in talks to sign £18.3m West Ham and Fulham target, all parties hopeful

Southampton appear to be the mystery club rivalling West Ham United and Fulham for the Sporting winger, Jovane Cabral.

A Bola reported last month that West Ham, Fulham and a third English side were each in the running for Cabral's signature, although Record appeared to rule Tottenham Hotspur out of contention despite the alleged interest of Jose Mourinho.

And, according to the latter publication, negotiations are now 'well underway' between Southampton and Sporting.

The Saints are said to be 'making an effort' to reach the Portuguese giants' €20 million (around £18.3m) asking price.

And it is claimed the parties involved believe they can reach a successful outcome.

Cabral scored or made nine goals in 16 league games for the Portuguese giants last season – all but three of which arrived in an eight-match spell following the June restart.

And A Bola reported that West Ham and Fulham were 'seriously considering moving forward with formal proposals' for the player, which would have been close to meeting Sporting's demands.

But Southampton, it seems, may just beat them to it.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/09/22/report-southampton-in-talks-to-sign-18-3m-west-ham-and-fulham-target-all-parties-hopeful/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham keen on Leicester City's Daniel Amartey

Fulham are interested in signing the Leicester City midfielder Daniel Amartey.

According to Football Insider, the London club have now made an approach to sign the 25-year-old who has fallen down the pecking order at the King Power Stadium.

He will have to leave the club if he wants to play regularly.

Apparently, the Foxes are willing to sell the midfielder for a fee of around £5 million this summer and it will be interesting to see if Fulham are willing to pay the asking price for the Ghana midfielder.

Amartey is a versatile player who can play as a defensive midfielder or as a defender. He could prove to be a really useful addition to Scott Parker's squad. His versatility will be an added bonus for the Londoners.

The player has just two years left on his contract and it is no surprise that Leicester City are willing to sell him for a knockdown price this summer.

For the reported asking price, Amartey could prove to be a bargain for Fulham and they must look to get the deal across the line before the window closes.

Fulham needed to tighten up at the back if they want to survive in the Premier League and a signing a defensive midfielder could certainly help them.



https://sportslens.com/fulham-keen-on-leicester-citys-daniel-amartey/314792/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham could throw Watford man a Premier League lifeline

Fulham remain keen on signing on Watford defender Craig Dawson, according to Sky Sports (live transfer blog, 21.09.20, 19.20).

The Cottagers are eager to boost their defensive options before the end of the transfer window and could throw the Hornets man a Premier League lifeline.

Dawson, who is 30 years old, only moved to Vicarage Road last summer but couldn't prevent the Hertfordshire side getting relegated to the Championship in his first season at the club.

The experienced defender started his career in non-league with Radcliffe Borough before he was snapped up by Rochdale in 2009. After an impressive campaign with them in League Two, West Brom signed him in August 2010 but loaned him back out to Rochdale. Dawson scored a combined 22 goals from defence in his two seasons with the Dale.

He had a brief loan stint at Bolton Wanderers in 2013 before establishing himself as a key player at the Hawthorns.

Dawson spent nine years in the Midlands, making 225 appearances and chipping in with 15 goals.

Watford came calling last year after he spent the year before in the Championship but he finds himself back in the second tier again now.

However, Fulham could change that and may lure him to Craven Cottage before the end of the transfer window.

Scott Parker's side are in need of some new signings over the coming weeks and Dawson is someone who is vastly experienced. He would add more competition to their defensive department in what will be a tough season for the London club.



https://the72.co.uk/193411/fulham-could-throw-watford-man-a-premier-league-lifeline/

[WhiteJC]

Club ready to open talks this week to sign Fulham player

Turkish newspaper Milliyet report Galatasaray have returned for Fulham midfielder Jean Michael Seri, and they could make an offer to the Premier League side.

Seri spent last season on loan at Gala and despite previous reports saying their manager Fatih Terim wants him to return to Istanbul, the Turkish side have failed to find an agreement with Fulham.

However, Milliyet report the midfielder isn't part of Scott Parker's plans this season and Galatasaray could make a loan offer for the 29 year old.

It's reported Cim Bom will open talks with Fulham this week and Seri himself wants to head back to the Super Lig, where he enjoyed a reasonable level of success.

Terim is also keen to see Seri in his team this season as they look to win back the league title.

Seri made 37 appearances in all competitions for Galatasaray last season, scoring two goals and providing three assists. His contract at Craven Cottage will expire at the end of June 2022



http://sportwitness.co.uk/club-ready-open-talks-week-sign-fulham-player/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham closing in on Ademola Lookman loan deal with RB Leipzig set to sign Alexander Sorloth

Fulham are closing in on a move to bring forward Ademola Lookman back to the Premier League.

Scott Parker is keen to add some depth to his squad out wide and through the middle as Fulham battle to beat relegation this season.

The Cottagers have lost both of their opening games, but are nearing a loan deal with RB Leipzig to bring former Charlton and Everton forward Lookman back to English football.

Leipzig themselves are set to sign Crystal Palace striker Alexander Sorloth, meaning Lookman will fall further down the pecking order in Germany.

Parker is also keen to bolster his defence after shipping seven goals in their opening two games of the season.

The west Londoners have added at full-back, recruiting Antonee Robinson, Ola Aina and Kenny Tete. However the Fulham boss is desperate to add a central defender before the window is out.

With that in mind, Fulham have been linked with a move for Sassuolo's Marlon Santos.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-fc-transfer-news-ademola-lookman-loan-rb-leipzig-sorloth-a4553206.html

[WhiteJC]

Report: Fulham 48 hours away from £13m signing; Parker could also re-sign £17m man

Sassuolo defender Marlon Santos could become a Fulham player by Thursday, while Huddersfield Town's Terence Kongolo may also be on his way to Craven Cottage before the October deadline, according to the Telegraph.

While the Cottagers have made no repeat of that infamous, £100 million splurge in the summer of 2018, Scott Parker knows that money has to be spent if the top-flight newcomers are to avoid another immediate return to the Championship.

Fulham have conceded seven times in their first two games back in the Premier League.

Michael Hector and Tim Ream look out of their depth already, making a couple of costly errors apiece in damaging defeats to Arsenal and Leeds. So Parker is wasting no time as he looks to bring in some much-needed defensive reinforcements.

Sassuolo's sporting director Giovani Carnevali told Sky Italia on Sunday that Fulham had made 'an important offer' for the stylish Brazilian centre-back, Marlon.

According to the Telegraph, a one-time Barcelona youngster who shone in Nice before moving to Italy could undergo a medical at Craven Cottage within the next 48 hours as his £13 million switch edges closer.

The report adds that Parker was interested in re-signing Kongolo, the £17 million Dutch international who made just one appearance during an injury-hit loan spell at Fulham last term.

Kongolo is out of favour at Huddersfield, but his ability to play at centre-half and left-back would give the Cottagers plenty of cover at the back.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/09/22/report-fulham-48-hours-away-from-13m-signing-parker-could-also-re-sign-17m-man/

[WhiteJC]

Report: Fulham in talks to sign £22.5m man on loan; he is 'dissatisfied' at current club

Fulham are closing in on a deal to sign £22.5 million RB Leipzig winger Ademola Lookman, with Sky Sports reporting that the England U21 international is returning to the Premier League.

It is three-and-a-half years now since a rampant Toffees side put Pep Guardiola's embryonic Manchester City to the sword with a famous 4-0 thrashing that will go down in Goodison Park folklore.

But, if that famous January day was supposed to kick-start the careers of teenage duo Tom Davies and Ademola Lookman, it is fair to say both the midfielder and the winger have struggled to hit their heights since early 2017

Davies, once viewed as Everton's most talented academy graduate since a fresh-faced Wayne Rooney, has become something of a scapegoat among some supporters.

Lookman, meanwhile, cannot even buy a start in the Bundesliga.

Since leaving Merseyside in a £22.5 million deal, the one-time Charlton Athletic starlet has played just 300 minutes of league football; starting just once under Julian Nagelsmann at Leipzig.

"He is very dissatisfied with his situation," Nagelsmann admitted to Goal. "He has to be convinced that this is the right path for him, even if the first year didn't go so well."

The Mail are backing up claims from Sky, suggesting that Lookman's homecoming is imminent. Fulham want the 22-year-old on loan with an option to buy.

Scott Parker's Cottagers already look like favourites for relegation just two games in 2020/21 but a return to London, under a coach who prides himself on forward-thinking, attacking football, could be exactly what Lookman needs. 



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/09/22/report-fulham-in-talks-to-sign-22-5m-man-on-loan-he-is-dissatisfied-at-current-club/

[WhiteJC]

Milan turn attention to Fulham's Anguissa - reports

André Zambo Anguissa has reportedly emerged as an AC Milan transfer target.

According to Sky Italy as reported by Sky Sports News, the Premier League club are open to offers for Anguissa and that Milan are among possible suitors for the Cameroon international.

The 24-year-old joined Fulham from Marseille in 2018 but spent last season on-loan at Villarreal where he scored two goals in 36 LaLiga appearances for the Spanish club.

Milan have been targeting Arsenal's Lucas Torreira and Chelsea's Tiemoue Bakayoko, but Anguissa has been earmarked as another potential target according to the report.

The Serie A club already boast a strong African midfield core with Ivory Coast's Franck Kessie and Algeria's Ismaël Bennacer having both started the Rossoneri's 2-0 win over Bologna on Monday.

Anguissa featured in both of Fulham's Premier League games this season, playing the full 90 minutes in a 4-3 defeat to Leeds United this past weekend.



https://africanfootball.com//news/780587/Milan-turn-attention-to-Fulhams-Anguissa-reports

[WhiteJC]

Positivity, people! Four reasons to be cheerful
There are plenty of reasons to smile, despite a tough start to our Premier League campaign, as Eamon explains.

Two games in, and it seems like we're suffering from the same issues as our last Premier League campaign. Seven goals conceded in two matches has brought criticism and negativity from all angles. You'd be forgiven for thinking our house is already burning down around us. However, I refuse to let my attitude drop, so to this fire I bring a hose of positivity, and with it I aim to bring you relief – not everything is so dire.

It's true, We haven't been fantastic in our first outings against Arsenal and Leeds, but that doesn't mean there haven't been noticeable positives from Parker's team. The full-backs have adopted an attacking presence we've not seen for a while, we have a dominating midfielder who swats England internationals away like buzzing mosquitos and has exhibited a mentality that we couldn't have imagined two years ago. I'm the first one to criticize our play, but improvements have been made. In the dark world of opinionated football fans, I wish to bring some light and positivity to the table. Our house might burn down some day, but let's not bring it down ourselves, there are 36 more games to go.

Flying full-backs
Kenny Tete and Joe Bryan's play down the wings on Saturday was refreshing and encouraging. After a season during which the manager often parked his full-backs in the back line, the potential potency of two marauding full-backs was revealed. It was evident last season that only attacking with our front players wasn't enough, as individual quality continuously bailed us out. Now that we are among the best in the world, that individual quality won't get us anywhere near our goal (or the goal for that matter). Attack in this league will truly have to be a team effort. Fortunately, our full-backs provided exactly that against Leeds.

First, Bryan won the penalty to open our 2020 account with a darting run down the left. With the Leeds defence spread wide, Robin Koch felt the pressure to stop our left-back, sending Mitrovic to the penalty spot licking his lips.

Second, Kenny Tete was outstanding in his Premier League debut. There might have been one or two hiccups in terms of defensive positioning, but Tete provided an attacking option down the right flank, while sprinkling in a number of ball-stopping tackles. His best moment saw him send a floating, delicious assist to the back post, packaged and sent with express mail straight to Mitrovic's clobbering forehead. Mitrovic's towering header, rising above the Leeds defence, is exactly why he's paid the big money. If Tete can regularly spoon-feed our areal assassin as he did on Saturday, he'll also be hauling in the cash.

Astounding Anguissa
Mountains of praise has been heaped onto Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa recently, but I'm not going to let that interfere with my own Zambo party. The man is simply a force in the center of the park. He moves seamlessly across the grass, luring defenders in with his somewhat lanky and relaxed figure, only for them to run into a brick wall. Kalvin Phillips, one of the media's most recent starlets, found that out first-hand. Picking the ball up centrally, Anguissa felt something on his left hip: "Excuse me, I'm trying to work here," before letting Phillips bounce right off him and gracefully playing in Decordova-Reid. "Sorry Bobby, I was held up for a moment. Here, have a goal."

The Cameroonian picks the ball up in the midfield and consistently spreads play across the pitch. He looks forward when he can, playing vertical passes often and encouraging Fulham forward. Lastly, Anguissa has a relaxed demeanor that reminds me of Dimitar Berbatov or Moussa Dembele (the Belgian one). He remains calm under pressure and instills confidence in his teammates. Hopefully we can hang on to the man because he is a special talent. Even if watching Fulham becomes tougher as the weeks go by, watching Anguissa cover the Cottage turf will never lose its wonder.

Powerfulpress
Fulham's press for long stretches of the game impressed me. The results may not have been what we all wanted, but there were bright spots within our play. Leeds only scored two goals from open play, and while that's still not great, it's not awful. I often thought Fulham's press looked connected and frequently stifled the Leeds attack, even leading to Bobby Reid's strike for Fulham's second goal. Except for Mitrovic, our front six have solid athleticism and pace, which we could find success with in the form of a high press.

More mettle
The Whites' greatest improvement from the last Premier League campaign has been their attitude. While two games is a small sample size, its a promising sample. The Arsenal game didn't see much fight-back in terms of the score, but it was Arsenal after all. What can be said is the team didn't necessarily collapse like we've seen in the past.

Against Leeds a greater example of the side's resolute strength was on display. Four conceded goals with not much going forward so far in the game, it would have been easy to bow the heads and look forward to Sheffield Wednesday in midweek. But teeth were gritted and muscles flexed, and two goals were scored. In complete contrast to the early season emptiness that was on display at Huddersfield in the dark two years ago, Parker's team has shown fight and that is crucial when competing in the worlds toughest league.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2020-09-22-positivity-people-four-reasons-to-be-cheerful/

[WhiteJC]

Parker's Wednesday Preview

This midweek sees Sheffield Wednesday head to Craven Cottage for the second time in little more than two months.

Our last Championship match in SW6 saw Fulham come out on top of an eight-goal thriller, but the Owls have tightened up at the back this season, securing clean sheets in each of their four matches.

It's form which means Scott Parker knows his side will face a stern test of their credentials in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday (7pm).

"We played against them last season, not too long ago at the Cottage, so we're familiar with Sheffield Wednesday," he told fulhamfc.com.

"They're a strong side, we know that, we saw that last time we played against them. We had some good moments, but they showed that they can cause you some problems.

"They do look solid. They play with a back-five that's hard to break down, and they do have quality in their side, I think we've seen that.

"They've started the season very well, so we won't be taking them lightly. We realise the quality they have and what they possess, so we'll prepare the best we can.

"It's going to be a tough game, as always, but it's another opportunity for us to get out there, get some football in players' legs, and for us as a team to continue working on what we're trying to do."

Parker made nine changes to his side in the previous round against Ipswich Town, and he will again be using Wednesday's tie as an opportunity to get players up to speed.

This time, though, the Whites will be aided by an extra two days before we're in action again, with our Premier League clash with Aston Villa pushed back to Monday.

"That's going to be helpful," Parker admitted. "It helps obviously the lads' recovery, it gives us more time to prepare going into Villa and work out how we can go about the job there.

"It freshens people up a little bit more, so that's going to be important for us.

"We're another week down the road, with more training, more football that the lads have had. But there's no hiding from the fact that these games are vitally important for us at the moment, because we've not had a pre-season.

"We've not been back long, the players are a little bit undercooked, and this is a perfect time for us to get these games in the lads. And also to develop, like I say, as a team is vitally important as well.

"There's no injuries really. We're at full strength, everyone's good, so I've got a full squad to pick from.

"As always, it's about balancing which players need it and where they are in their fitness, so those are the decisions I have to make."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/september/Parker-s-Wednesday-Preview/

[WhiteJC]

Barcelona set to profit if Marlon is sold to Fulham

The Catalans own part of the Sassuolo defender's rights

Barcelona will earn 50% of Marlon's sale price should the defender be bought by Fulham, as has been reported by the media. The Sassuolo defender's rights are co-owned by the Catalan giants, and they are set to profit should the sale go through.

The fee is rumored to be around 15 million euro, which would net Barcelona a handy 7.5 million.

Barcelona signed him from Fluminense for 5 million after first getting him on loan. He was then loaned to Nice with an option to buy, but the French club did not use it. Finally, he was sold in part to Sassuolo. He has been with the Italians since 2018.

Fulham are back in the Premier League after a few years away, and they're looking to bolster their defense. It's understood that the negotiations are advanced and could be sealed soon. The deal could benefit Barcelona as it could give them just a little bit more pocket money to use to re-configure the squad in this transfer window.



https://www.barcablaugranes.com/2020/9/22/21450705/barcelona-set-to-profit-if-marlon-is-sold-to-fulham

[WhiteJC]

Premier League side still 'considering' swoop for Huddersfield Town defender Terence Kongolo

Club record signing hasn't played for Town since last November

Huddersfield Town's record signing Terence Kongolo could still end up at Fulham, despite the Premier League side being poised to make yet another defender signing week.

The Telegraph claims that Cottagers' boss Scott Parker is close to agreeing a deal for Sassuolo defender Marlon Santos.

Parker has already signed a swathe of defenders this summer, as the newly-promoted side look to bolster their ranks.

Antonee Robinson, Kenny Tete and Ola Aina have already signed, adding to existing options such as Michael Hector and Tim Ream.

Many may have suspected that the signing of Santos would be the end of Fulham's business in terms of new defensive additions.

But the report adds that Parker is still said to be 'considering' adding Kongolo, 26, to his team.

The Dutch centre-half spent the second part of last season on loan at Fulham but played just twice for them. He suffered a broken foot just minutes into his second outing for the Cottagers and is still recuperating after having two surgeries to repair the damage.

Nevertheless, Parker remains a fan - especially of his versatility - and believes he could add something as they look to tighten up defensively.

Fulham's first two games back in the top flight have seen them lost both - to Arsenal and Leeds - and concede seven times.

Town boss Carlos Corberan appears resigned to the fact Kongolo will depart the Championship club.

He recently said: "From when I arrived here with the club he wasn't working with us [the first-team squad]. He continues following his rehabilitation process.

"But I think he is going to be one of the players that has options to not stay with us in the next year."

Kongolo originally arrived at Town in January 2018, in their first year in the Premier League, on loan from Monaco.

The move was made permanent that summer - for a club record £17.5m fee - and he made 32 appearances in 2018/19 as Town were relegated back to the Championship.

Last term saw him make just 11 appearances before he was dropped from first-team action by then-manager Danny Cowley not long after returning from injury.

His loan spell at Fulham was ultimately cut short, but he could now be set for a reunion.



https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/kongolo-huddersfield-transfer-premier-league-18977265

[WhiteJC]

Parker expects 'tough' Wednesday test

Scott Parker has warned his Fulham side not to take the challenge posed by Sheffield Wednesday lightly as they prepare for tomorrow night's League Cup tie.

The Fulham boss believes the Owls will travel to London in good heart having made an unbeaten start to the new season and knows that Garry Monk's men possess real quality after pushing Fulham all the way in a eight-goal thriller at Craven Cottage back in July. Parker told Fulham's official website:

We played against them last season, not too long ago at the Cottage, so we're familiar with Sheffield Wednesday. They're a strong side, we know that, we saw that last time we played against them. We had some good moments, but they showed that they can cause you some problems.

They do look solid. They play with a back-five that's hard to break down, and they do have quality in their side, I think we've seen that. They've started the season very well, so we won't be taking them lightly. We realise the quality they have and what they possess, so we'll prepare the best we can. It's going to be a tough game, as always, but it's another opportunity for us to get out there, get some football in players' legs, and for us as a team to continue working on what we're trying to do.

Parker hinted that he might not make as many alterations to his side as he did against Ipswich in the second round – when there were nine changes – given that Whites' next fixture, against Aston Villa, is not until Monday night.

That's going to be helpful. It helps obviously the lads' recovery, it gives us more time to prepare going into Villa and work out how we can go about the job there. It freshens people up a little bit more, so that's going to be important for us.

We're another week down the road, with more training, more football that the lads have had. But there's no hiding from the fact that these games are vitally important for us at the moment, because we've not had a pre-season. We've not been back long, the players are a little bit undercooked, and this is a perfect time for us to get these games in the lads. And also to develop, like I say, as a team is vitally important as well.

The Fulham boss revealed that he has a fully fit squad from to select from ahead of the Craven Cottage clash.

There's no injuries really. We're at full strength, everyone's good, so I've got a full squad to pick from. As always, it's about balancing which players need it and where they are in their fitness, so those are the decisions I have to make.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/09/parker-expects-tough-wednesday-test/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham 'make £16.5m offer for Tobido'

Fulham have made a £16.5m offer for Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo, according to reports in Spain this evening.

The French centre back is destined to leave the Spanish giants this summer as he is not in the plans of new manager Ronald Koeman and has already met with Barcelona officials to discuss his departure. The 20 year-old, who spent last season on loan with Schalke, has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League with Wolves, Leicester and Everton all reportedly interested in bringing him to England.

Todibo, who came through the Toulouse youth academy, moved to Barcelona in January 2019 having made ten league appearances for the French side. He has only made five senior appearances for Barcelona and struggled on loan at Schalke last season, playing ten games. The young defender has won five caps for France at under-20 level.

Fulham are desperately seeking central defensive reinforcements after losing their first two Premier League games, shipping seven goals. The Londoners are reportedly in talks with Sassuolo over the possible transfer of Brazilian centre back Marlon, but are thought to be looking to sign at least one more centre half to strengthen Scott Parker's options before the close of the transfer window. Their hefty offer for Todibo reportedly includes another £4.6m in performance related add-ons.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2020/09/fulham-make-16-5m-offer-for-tobido/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham make bid for Barcelona defender – Clubs now wait for player's response

Catalan outlet Sport reports today a bid from Fulham for Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo.

They claim the Premier League side have submitted an offer to sign the 20-year-old, and are willing to pay an initial amount of €18m plus a further €5m in bonuses.

Sport writes that Barcelona 'like this operation' and are now waiting for a decision from the player regarding the move.

They say Fulham aren't alone in the race for Todibo, since other Premier League sides, such as Everton, Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, have been interested in him.

According to Sport, Todibo is having 'his last days at Barcelona', and knows the Camp Nou side don't have him in their plans and want to cash-in with his sale.

The defender has just returned from a loan spell at Schalke 04, who had an option to buy him for €25m, but decided not to trigger it.

Todibo joined Barcelona in January 2019 in a €1m move from Toulouse, and only made five appearances for the Catalan side.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-make-bid-barcelona-defender-clubs-now-wait-players-response/

[WhiteJC]

Report: Fulham make bid for Everton and Wolves target Jean-Clair Todibo

Fulham may have become the most recent Premier League side to join the race to sign Jean-Clair Todibo, but Sport has suggested that they have stolen a march on the likes of Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers by making a bid for the Barcelona centre-back.

Sport suggests that Todibo is on his way out of Barca this summer. The 20-year-old has only managed to make a handful of appearances for the Catalan giants, and it is suggested that they want to sell the youngster to help fund their own transfer plans.

And it appears that there is a good chance that he could end up in the Premier League. Sport reports that the Cottagers, Wolves, Toffees and Leicester City all want the Frenchman.

But it seems that Scott Parker's men are currently in pole position. Sport claims that they have made a bid worth an initial £16.6 million, with a further £4.6 million coming in add-ons.

It is suggested that Barcelona are ready to accept the bid. And it is now on Todibo to make a decision regarding whether he wants to move to Craven Cottage.

TBR View: Fulham bid should spur Everton and Wolves into action

Everton and Wolves may well be looking to strengthen their centre-back options in this window. Nuno Espirito Santo admittedly, has added Ki-Jana Hoever to his ranks.

However, he is still a youngster. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti is yet to sign a centre-back this summer.

So it will be very interesting to see whether Fulham's bid acts as a catalyst for either, or Leicester even.

If they are particularly keen on Todibo, they are seemingly running out of time to stop him going to one of their Premier League rivals.



https://tbrfootball.com/report-fulham-make-bid-for-everton-and-wolves-target-jean-clair-todibo/

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Fulham now rivalling Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United for signing

Fulham and Newcastle United have now joined the race for Napoli star Arkadiusz Milik, according to reports from the Italian media.

Gazzetta Dello Sport writes today that both Premier League sides are 'ready to negotiate the purchase' of the 26-year-old.

Napoli are said to be demanding €25m for the transfer, and Milik demands a salary of €3.5m per season. The catch here is that Fulham and Newcastle are only accepting to pay those wages in case the Italian side drop their demands.

The Whites and Magpies are now joining the competition from Tottenham Hotspur, who reportedly already agreed to spend the €25m requested by the Serie A club.

Gazzetta Dello Sport claims that Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is pretty angry with Milik due to the failed move to AS Roma. Both the player and the Giallorossi started hesitating even after an agreement was reached between the clubs.

Now the official is ready to start negotiations with the Premier League sides.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-now-rivalling-tottenham-hotspur-newcastle-united-signing/