Thursday fulham Stuff - 07/01/21...

[WhiteJC]

Fulham aiming to sign Dwight Gayle on an incentivised deal from Newcastle United

Fulham are aiming to reinforce their frontline this month with a move for out-of-favour Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle, a report from The Mail claims.

The Cottagers have experienced a disappointing return to the top-flight and they have won just two of their 15 Premier League matches to date.

They are currently four points adrift of safety with a couple of games in hand, but their lack of goals (13 from 15 games) remains a concern which needs to be sorted.

Hence, it won't be a surprise if they pursue a new centre-forward this month and The Mail reports that they are lining up a move for Gayle.

Gayle has been largely out-of-favour under manager Steve Bruce and he has managed only 10 league starts for the club over the past 18 months.

He returned from injury to score a late winner against West Bromwich Albion last month, but he has since managed only 39 minutes in the next five league games.

Hence, it is quite clear that he is not in the plans of Bruce, who has favoured the likes of Callum Wilson, Joelinton and Andy Carroll ahead of him.

With his contract expiring on June 30, the Magpies may sanction his sale this month and it remains to be seen whether they are tempted by the Cottagers' proposal.

The west London outfit want to sign Dwight Gayle on an incentivised deal whereby they pay a small fee upfront which will increase, if they are able to avoid relegation.

Scott Parker's side were hugely dependent on Aleksandar Mitrovic for goals in their promotion campaign, but he has struggled to carry over his form to the top-flight.

He started the season brightly with a brace in the second game at Leeds United, but has since failed to find the back of the net.

As a result, he is not guaranteed a starting role anymore. The likes of Ademola Lookman and Ivan Cavaleiro have been preferred ahead of him on occasions.

The club are on the search for a striker with pace and Gayle could be an ideal signing for them as they look to improve their goalscoring exploits.

The likes of Al Duhail, Al Shabab and Al Gharafa from the Middle East have also been credited with an interest in Gayle and the Magpies are likely to assess all options.

Bruce's side are presently eight points ahead of Fulham, but they may not want to strengthen the Cottagers as they could yet find themselves in a relegation battle.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com



https://sportslens.com/fulham-aiming-to-sign-dwight-gayle-in-an-incentivised-deal-from-newcastle-united/325075/

[WhiteJC]

Report: Crystal Palace, Everton and Fuham all keen on Fenerbahce midfielder Ozan Tufan

According to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, Everton and Fulham are both keen on bringing Fenerbahce midfielder Ozan Tufan to the Premier League before the end of the January transfer window.

İngiltere'den CPalace, Everton ve Fuham ve WBromwich'in Ozan Tufan'a ilgisi var. Almanya'dan BLeverkusen'de Ozan'ın durumunu yakından takip ediyor.

Bazı takımlar resmi olarak Fenerbahçe ile görüşmelere başladı. #CrystalPalace #Everton #Fulham #WestBromwich #BayerLeverkusen https://t.co/qxcl2zbopE

— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) January 6, 2021

Crystal Palace and Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen are also interested in recruiting the services of the Turkey international, but suitors must be willing to meet the demands of Fenerbahce to have a chance of landing him midway through the season.

The Super Lig giants want around £18 million for the signature of Tufan, and it will be interesting to see whether Everton or Fulham can pip Palace and co to his signature.

The 25-year-old was close to moving to Selhurst Park in 2018 and was all set to fly to England in order to complete the move.

However, an injury to Bakary Sako on the day Tufan booked for his flight forced the Eagles to change their transfer plans in the last minute.

The Palace board had an emergency meeting and decided to sign a replacement for the striker instead, with Alexander Sorloth joining the club as a result.

The midfielder still dreams of playing in Europe's top leagues and he could be willing to move to the Premier League if another suitable deal is brought to the table.

Tofan is primarily a holding midfielder but he can also play as a right-back, a right winger and behind a striker.

Everton could look to bolster their squad this month as manager Carlo Ancelotti looks to lead them to a top-six finish, and landing the Turkish midfielder could come in handy with the Italian looking for a right-back.

With four goals and two assists in 14 league games this term, Tofan will also be a great signing for a Fulham side struggling in the final third and at the risk of relegation.



https://sportslens.com/report-crystal-palace-everton-and-fuham-all-keen-on-fenerbahce-midfielder-ozan-tufan/325125/

[WhiteJC]

Transfer saga involving Anthony Knockaert and Nottingham Forest takes fresh twist

Anthony Knockaert is attracting interest from another club outside of the UK, according to The Athletic's Daniel Taylor.

Knockaert has spent this season on loan at Nottingham Forest, after becoming Chris Hughton's first and only signing in charge following his move from Fulham back in October.

The 29-year-old has been one of the Reds' most dangerous players going forward, scoring one goal and registering one assist in 16 appearances.

Knockaert's loan deal at the City Ground is set to expire tomorrow, and it remains to be seen whether Forest extend his loan deal to see him remain until the end of the season.

According to Daniel Taylor, Forest are keen to do just that – though they face competition for his signature.

Taylor claims that a foreign side are also keen on signing Knockaert on loan, with Fulham trying to receive as much as money as possible for the Frenchman.

Forest do have the option to buy Knockaert at the end of his loan spell, though it seems unlikely that they will activate that option this month.

The Verdict

This is a blow for Forest.

Knockaert hasn't produced the best of performances on a regular enough basis for Forest, but there's no denying his quality.

Chris Hughton knows how to get the best out of him, and without him, they look short of any ideas going forward.

For me, it would be a blow if they were unable to extend his loan, and it would mean that they would have to bring someone else in.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/transfer-saga-involving-anthony-knockaert-and-nottingham-forest-takes-fresh-twist/

[WhiteJC]

Newcastle United faced with Dwight Gayle poser as Fulham ramp up January interest

The former Crystal Palace striker cost £10million and has scored 35 goals for the club but could leave for free in June

Fulham are understood to be keen on signing Dwight Gayle in the January window - but face a fight to persuade Newcastle United to agree to what would be a crazy deal.

The striker, who has returned from a knee injury but is now back on the bench, is edging towards the end of his contract with United which expires at the end of the season.

He will soon be free to talk to other clubs if Newcastle don't offer him a fresh deal and would be allowed to leave for nothing at the end of the campaign.

The Cottagers have a long-term interest in Gayle and are in dire need of a survival boost as they sit in the bottom three of the top-flight.

With Sheffield United rooted to the bottom and West Bromwich Albion struggling, Newcastle start the year in a straight fight with Burnley, Brighton and Fulham to avoid slipping into the relegation places.

However, parting company with Gayle - even if Newcastle did pick up the knockdown fee for his services - would essentially be throwing Fulham a lifeline in their bid to stay up.

Gayle has always stated he was keen to stay on Tyneside but at 31 will be looking to net a deal similar to those picked up by Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie, who both landed contracts that offered them security late in their careers.

Although, with those contracts dished out before the global pandemic and before gate revenue dried up, Newcastle chiefs must get every big contract package approved by reluctant owner Mike Ashley.

Ashley is content to finance the club but his court battle with the Premier League underlines his desire to move on.

Steve Bruce has already been told there is no money to spend in January and he must deal in the loan market.

For Bruce, losing Gayle - a reliable goalscorer when fully fit - would be deemed another blow this month after already finding it tough to secure an early window loan.

Gayle recently came off the bench to score a vital winner against his old club West Brom and with life not getting much better for £40million signing Joelinton, Bruce could well need him for the rest of the season.



https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-dwight-gayle-january-19570930

[WhiteJC]

Report: Four teams queuing up to try and sign 'great' player from Newcastle

Fulham are among a group of four clubs trying to sign Dwight Gayle from Newcastle United, the Daily Mail say.

Fulham, Al-Gharafa, Al-Duhai and Al-Shabab are all said to be keen on landing Gayle, who has found first-team chances limited at Newcastle this season.

The striker, who hit form at the back end of last term, has generally been kept in reserve by Steve Bruce this season, after more injury problems.

With Newcastle signing Callum Wilson and Joelinton also improving, Gayle has had to make do with a reserve role.

The 31-year-old did score for the Magpies recently, but Fulham are hoping to tie up a deal which would bring him to Craven Cottage this month.

Gayle, who was described as a 'great' player by Rafael Benitez, is one of Newcastle's better finishers, but his weaknesses in linking the play have cost him a regular starting spot.

If he was to join Fulham he would be tasked with scoring the goals to keep Scott Parker's side in the Premier League, with the Cottagers currently sitting just inside the relegation spots.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/01/06/report-four-teams-queuing-up-to-try-and-sign-great-player-from-newcastle/

[WhiteJC]

West Brom relegation rivals and Middle East trio in hunt for former Baggies favourite

Albion have also been linked with a move for the striker, who had a successful season-long loan spell at The Hawthorns in 2018/19


Dwight Gayle of Newcastle United (Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

West Brom's relegation rivals Fulham are reportedly ready swoop for former Baggies striker Dwight Gayle.

The Newcastle United forward's contract is due to expire at the end of the season but, according to Mail Online, Fulham want to do a loan deal for the 31-year-old as they look to provide support for main striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Albion have also been linked with a move for Gayle, who had a successful season-long loan spell at The Hawthorns in 2018/19, as Sam Allardyce looks to boost his attacking options in a bid to stave off relegation.

The Mail claim West Brom and Fulham could face competition from several clubs in the Middle East.

Qatari duo Al-Gharafa, managed by former Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic, and Al-Duhail, where ex-Nottingham Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi is at the helm, are both said to be interested, along with Saudi side Al-Shabab.



https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/gayle-fulham-newcastle-west-brom-19573011

[WhiteJC]

Mawson resumes full training

Centre-back Alfie Mawson has re-joined the squad having recovered from a knee injury.

Mawson suffered the setback in October, after impressing in his first six appearances at City on loan from Fulham.

Mawson has now resumed full training at Failand and is in contention for City's Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie with Portsmouth this Sunday (January 10th, 1.30pm KO).

Head Coach Dean Holden said: "It's still early in the week so we'll assess later in the week just how he's feeling, how he looks but at the moment he looks good and we're pleased to have him near to a return."

In other injury news, Jamie Paterson will undergo a groin operation on Thursday (January 7th) and is expected to remain sidelined for approximately four weeks. Callum O'Dowda (hamstring) is expected to be out of action for up to 10 weeks, although the midfielder is not required to have surgery.



https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/mawson-resumes-full-training/

[WhiteJC]

Stoke City player to be sacrificed as club try to get deal with Fulham over the line – 'Preparing to terminate contract'

Left out of the Premier League squad by Scott Parker, Jean-Michaël Seri hasn't had a lot to do during the first half of the season at Fulham.

The Ivory Coast international has only made two appearances this season, both in the EFL Cup, and with a career to salvage, it wasn't surprising to see him linked with an exit, even less so when it was reported that Galatasaray, where he spent last season on loan, were the interested party.

However, it appears there will be one sacrifice to ensure Seri has a space at the Turkish side, and that's Stoke City's Oghenekaro Etebo.

The 25-year-old arrived on loan back in September with an option to buy at around €7.5m, but just 506 minutes of football spread over 11 appearances has seen him pushed to one side over at the Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi Türk Telekom Stadyumu.

According to Sabah, Galatasaray are 'preparing to terminate Etebo's contract' in order to make room for Seri as the negotiations for the Fulham player reach the final stages.

It's explained the Cottagers want around €500k up front for the loan, while their Turkish counterparts would rather not have to pay anything at all.

Seri, 'who wanted to work with Fatih Terim once again', told Galatasaray that if they could convince Fulham to make the move happen, 'he would not cause any problems with his pay'.

That might be the case, but he'd be causing Stoke City a headache they probably didn't want, now seemingly needing to find Etebo a new landing spot in the coming weeks.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/stoke-city-player-sacrificed-club-try-get-deal-fulham-line-preparing-terminate-contract/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham handed huge boost in their chances of signing Siriki Dembele

Fulham look to have been handed a significant boost in their hopes of signing Peterborough United winger Siriki Dembele this month, as he has handed in a transfer request with the League One club.

What's the word?

It was reported by Football Insider back in November that Fulham had joined the race to sign the 24-year-old, who is also reportedly being targeted by the likes of Wolves, Celtic and Crystal Palace.

Now, with the Posh sitting inside the play-off positions in the third division, he has made it clear he wants a move away from the club, as he has reportedly handed in a transfer request, which Fulham could well take advantage of.

Khan must act

Dembele has been in superb form for Darren Fergurson's side so far this season and has shown he is more than capable of playing in a higher division, having averaged a superb 7.39 rating for his performances in League One in the current campaign.

The former Grimsby Town man has contributed five goals and four assists in 17 appearances and is currently rated as the fifth-best player in that division for the season so far, so it is no surprise to see him being linked with a move away.

The pacy winger was heavily praised by his manager back in February 2020 after an excellent performance against Ipswich, with Fergurson saying:

"The boy has been absolutely outstanding since realising he can play as a central striker. He destroyed Ipswich last weekend with a goal and two assists."

This highlights Dembele's versatility as it seems that he can play across the front three, which is useful for Fulham when you consider the poor form of Aleksandar Mitrovic this season and the lack of striker options currently available to Parker.

Therefore, considering that a deal for Dembele could prove to be relatively cheap after his transfer request, Tony Khan must sanction a move for the exciting winger as soon as possible, rather than waiting for another interested team to take advantage.




https://www.footballfancast.com/fulham-fc-news/fulham-siriki-dembele-tony-khan-scott-parker

[Stevieboy]

Just a thought......why don't we try to sign the best player in the division rather than the 5th best ???