Thursday Fulham Stuff - 26/05/22...

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Fulham target James Tarkowski weighing up £120,000-a-week offer from Aston Villa

Fulham target James Tarkowski has been offered a £120,000-a-week deal by Aston Villa as interest in his services ramps up amid Burnley's relegation from the Premier League.

Fulham are among the sides to have been linked with Tarkowski ahead of the summer transfer window.

It was claimed earlier this week that they are alongside Aston Villa and Everton in eyeing the out of contract defender upon Burnley's relegation to the Championship.

But now, fresh claims have emerged from the Daily Mail stating that Aston Villa have made their move for the Fulham target.

Tarkowski is said to be weighing up a contract offer from the Villans, who have tabled a £120,000-a-week deal to the centre-back, who sees his contract at Turf Moor expire this summer.

The perfect profile for Fulham?

Marco Silva will be determined to keep the Cottagers in the Premier League next season as they look to avoid yet another immediate return to Championship football.

Their recruitment has failed them before, with big-money signings failing to have the intended impact.

Given their previous failings, a swoop for a player like Tarkowski looks to be smart business for Fulham.

The 28-year-old is vastly experienced at Premier League level with almost 200 appearances in the division to his name and he has long been one of Burnley's standout performers at Turf Moor. He has earned international recognition too, appearing twice for England.

As a free transfer too, Tarkowski is a smart target for Fulham. However, both Aston Villa and Everton have the financial means to offer good deals to the former Brentford and Oldham Athletic man, so they are facing a tough battle for his services.

With a deal from Aston Villa on the table, Fulham may need to make a move of their own if they want to stay in with a chance of signing Tarkowski this summer.



https://the72.co.uk/274064/fulham-target-james-tarkowski-weighing-up-120000-a-week-offer-from-aston-villa/

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Report names three players Fulham want to sell, they cost £35m combined

Premier League newcomers Fulham are ready to cash in on Josh Onomah, Anthony Knockaert and Ivan Cavaleiro with the trio no longer part of Marco Silva's plans at Craven Cottage, according to The Athletic.

This time of year is always a little awkward for newly-promoted clubs.

Do you stick with those players who helped you escape from the second tier? Or do you take the 'no room for sentimentality' approach and replace them, dipping into your suddenly enhanced resources while utilising the pulling power of the Premier League to your advantage?

That is the dilemma facing Marco Silva and co, as Fulham look to make it third time lucky and avoid a repeat of 2019 and 2021.

Who will Marco Silva's Fulham sell?

The Cottagers confirmed the departure of no less than 14 players upon the expiry of their contracts earlier this week. Jean Michel Seri was perhaps the only surprise name in that list, however, with neither Michael Hector, Alfie Mawson nor Cyrus Christie playing a decisive role during Silva's debut season in West London.

The same can be said of Onomah, Knockaert and Cavaleiro, three names who have been placed on the transfer list as Fulham step up their summer plans.

The trio, who cost the club around £35 million combined, all found game time hard to come by in 2021/22.

Onomah, who joined as part of the deal that took Ryan Sessegnon to Tottenham Hotspur, started eight games last term. More than Cavaleiro (five) and Knockaert (zero) combined. 

Their impressive track record at Championship level means that Onomah, Cavaleiro and Knockaert surely won't be short of offers from second-tier clubs.

What's more, the departure of Cavaleiro and Knockaert, two wingers, could open the door for Manor Solomon's long-awaited arrival from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Fulham have also held talks with Braga's £13 million-rated, tough-tackling midfield enforcer Al-Musrati, a potential replacement for Seri and a more defensively-minded option at the heart of Silva's engine room.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/05/25/report-names-three-players-fulham-want-to-sell-they-cost-35m-combined/

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Marco Silva Wins LMA Award

Marco Silva picked up the EFL Championship Manager of the Year award at Tuesday night's League Managers Association awards ceremony.

After taking over the Fulham reins at the start of July 2021, our Portuguese boss hit the ground running, leading his side to 13 points out of a possible 15 in the opening five fixtures and earning the August Manager of the Month award in the process.

The new year started with a bang as Silva's men bagged 19 goals in three matches, with our Head Coach securing another monthly accolade as a result.

Ultimately it was a season to remember with Silva at the helm as Fulham claimed their first league title since the 2000/2001 campaign, scoring 106 goals as the Whites stormed back into the Premier League.

Speaking on his award, Silva said:

"I would like to thank the LMA for this award and everyone who voted for me.

"I'm very grateful and honoured because managers have voted which make this recognition for me and my staff more important.

"Whilst this is an individual award, it is a result of the work of the entire team at Fulham and therefore I share this with my technical staff and everyone at the Club who have worked hard behind the scenes to bring success, as without them and the wonderful support of our fans, this wouldn't be possible.

"I must also congratulate our players for a fantastic campaign and for their excellent work throughout the season and it's only right that this award is shared with them all too."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/may/25/marco-silva-wins/

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Michael Hector sends farewell message to Fulham supporters

Fulham are beginning to make some important changes to their squad with survival in the Premier League the priority next season.

Marco Silva had a largely settled backline as the Cottagers stormed their way to the league title this season, so it is not a surprise to see some defensive fringe players depart the club this summer.

The club have opted against triggering a one-year extension in Michael Hector's contract and instead the 29-year-old will become a free agent this summer.

The Jamaica international played a crucial role in the club winning promotion via the play-offs in 2019/20, after arriving from Chelsea in January 2020.

However, he has made just seven league starts for the Cottagers since and the writing was on the wall in terms of his contract situation.

Hector took to Instagram to reflect on a successful spell at the club on the whole.

He wrote: "It's been a pleasure @fulhamfc, had some fun times with these."

Hector will be an attractive proposition for probably every Championship club outside of those expected to push for promotion next season, due to the uncertainty around his fitness and performance levels, after playing so little in the last two seasons.

The Verdict

Since leaving Reading for Chelsea in the summer of 2015, Hector has only seen regular playing time in loan spells, having endured 13 in his career, so it is important for him to secure a stable new destination ahead of his peak years.

The 29-year-old has played in the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Germany in the past, suggesting that he could have a wide variety of clubs to pick from.

Hector is a competent ball player at Championship level, and given a consistent run in the first team he should become a reliable performer again next season.

A romantic return to Reading would probably be beneficial for both parties at this stage.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/michael-hector-sends-farewell-message-to-fulham-supporters/

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Tosin Adarabioyo issues message to Jean Michael Seri following Fulham release

Tosin Adarabioyo has issued a message to fellow Fulham player Jean Michael Seri following the announcement that the midfielder would be leaving the club this summer.

The Cottagers released their retained list earlier this week, confirming that Seri would leave Craven Cottage at the end of his current deal, due to expire next month.

In response to the news, Fulham teammate Tosin Adarabioyo issued his fellow teammate well wishes for the future.

"JEAN MICHAEL SERI!" Adarabioyo wrote on Instagram.

"What a player and man."

"I wish you all the best my brother!🙏🏾🤍."

Jean Michael Seri joined Fulham in 2018 following their promotion to the Premier League under Slavisa Jokanovic.

In that first season at Craven Cottage, the Ivorian midfielder appeared 32 times in the Premier League as Fulham were relegated from the division.

Seri would spend the next two seasons on loan, but for 2021/22, Marco Silva kept him at the club, and as a result, the 30-year-old thrived.

Operating as a deep-lying midfielder, Seri was a key part of the Fulham side that were crowned Champions and won promotion to the Premier League, making 33 league appearances.

The Verdict

It's quite surprising to hear that Fulham are parting ways with Jean Michael Seri this summer.

The Ivorian was an important cog in their machine in the Championship this campaign and thrived under Marco Silva.

Towards the end of the campaign, though, Seri saw his playing time gradually reduced following his return from the African Cup of Nations.

Perhaps, due to this, and the fact Fulham coped well without him, Silva feels that the club can better use their funds ahead of next season. Only time will tell.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/tosin-adarabioyo-issues-message-to-jean-michael-seri-following-fulham-release/

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Hull City want to sign Jean Michael Seri following Fulham exit

Hull City want to sign Jean Michael Seri following his departure from Fulham, according to a report by Football Insider.

Hull City are interested in snapping up the midfielder on a free transfer this summer.

Seri, 30, helped the Cottagers gain promotion to the Premier League under ex-Tigers boss Marco Silva in this past season.

However, his contract expires at the end of next month and he will be leaving as a free agent.

Hull City eyeing ambitious addition

Hull City are gearing up for a busy summer as they look ahead to their full full campaign under the ownership of Acun Ilicali.

The Tigers are yet to sign anybody since the end of the past term but could see Seri as an ideal replacement for Richie Smallwood, who is leaving the club.

The Ivory Coast international made the move to Craven Cottage back in 2018 and has since gone on to make 70 appearances for the London club in all competitions, chipping in with two goals and nine assists.

He has also been shipped out on loan to Galatasaray and Bordeaux during his time there.

Prior to his switch to England, spent three years on the books at Nice and played 123 games for the French Ligue 1 side.

Hull City have a few options in the middle of the park to choose from such as George Honeyman, Greg Docherty and Regan Slater but will need to add more bodies into that department with Smallwood leaving and Liam Walsh heading back to Swansea City.

Andy Cannon and Callum Jones will return from their loans at Stockport County and Grimsby Town respectively for pre-season but it is yet to be known whether they are in Shota Arveladze's plans.



https://the72.co.uk/274147/hull-city-want-to-sign-jean-michael-seri-following-fulham-exit/

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Arthur Masuaku could be sold to London rivals in the summer transfer window

Newly-promoted Fulham are keen to sign West Ham United defender Arthur Masuaku in the summer transfer window.

That's according to high-level club insiders Claret and Hugh who suggest that his ex-Olympiacos boss Marco Silva is keen to bring him to Fulham this summer.

Masuaku joined West Ham from Olympiacos in the summer of 2016 for around £6.2 million (The Times).

He has really impressed at times for the Hammers but he has disappointed in equal measure and if we're being honest, there has been far more of the latter than the former.

David Moyes clearly doesn't trust Masuaku in the left-back role and it seems as though he could now be set for a summer transfer away from the London Stadium...

Masuaku could be moved on in the summer transfer window

Claret and Hugh reckon that the 28-year-old could be shipped out of the London Stadium this summer along with Ryan Fredericks.

Fulham are allegedly keen to sign Fredericks on a free transfer whilst Masuaku could cost around £5 million.

Aaron Cresswell and Ben Johnson are both well ahead of the 28-year-old in the left-back pecking order at the London Stadium.

It could even be argued that youngster Emmanuel Longelo is a better option than the former Olympiacos man.

David Moyes absolutely should sell Masuaku if he can this summer.

Whilst West Ham will probably be lucky to get £5 million for the 11-capped Democratic Republic of Congo international, moving him on for a small fee would be a very sensible move this summer.

Moyes could and should be looking for someone far more suited to playing Premier League football than Arthur Masuaku at the end of this season.

And selling Masuaku in the summer transfer window would be a move in the right direction for West Ham.



https://www.hammers.news/transfer-news/arthur-masuaku-could-be-sold-to-london-rivals-in-the-summer-transfer-window/

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Fulham remain keen on West Ham's Masuaku

A report from Claret & Hugh says that Fulham are still interested in West Ham's Arthur Masuaku.

Fulham were linked with a move for West Ham left-back Masuaku, 28, earlier in the year. The DR Congo man has fallen out of favour under David Moyes, who's handed Masuaku just 13 Premier League appearances this season.

Now, a fresh report from Claret & Hugh says that West Ham's London rivals Fulham remain interested in signing Masuaku following their promotion to the Premier League, and that the Hammers will look to offload the defender for a fee of around £5million this summer.

Masuaku is under contract at the London Stadium until 2024. Fulham look set to spend some money this summer but whether they'll cough up £5million for a player entering the final year of his contract remains to be seen.

Reports have also revealed that Hammers right-back Ryan Fredericks is closing in on a return to Craven Cottage this summer.

Masuaku previously played under Fulham boss Marco Silva at Olimpiacos.

Premier League quality?

Fulham have spent poorly in previous Premier League seasons. Expect the board to have learned their lesson and to spend much more shrewdly this summer, and on players with Premier League pedigree.

Masuaku has been a useful player to West Ham over the past few seasons. He's a versatile defender who can offer great defensive and attacking capabilities down the left, which is an area that Silva doesn't have too many names in.

At £5million though, it remains to be seen whether or not Fulham will pursue that move this summer – it could be a shrewd move but after a disappointing couple of seasons with West Ham, Fulham fans might be weary of this one.



https://the72.co.uk/274165/fulham-remain-keen-on-west-hams-masuaku/

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Welsh wizard and former PSG starlet: 5 Fulham youngsters who could emulate Fabio Carvalho

Fulham have lost yet another wonderkid.

Fabio Carvalho's move to Liverpool has been confirmed and he joins the likes of Harvey Elliott, Ryan Sessegnon, Djed Spence, Omar Richards and Mika Biereth on an evergrowing list of young prospects Fulham have lost before reaching their prime.

However, as that long-list shows, you're never too far away from a future superstar at Motspur Park, and with that in mind, we're going to look at five players who could emulate Fabio Carvalho and break into the Fulham first-team in the not so distant future.

Luke Harris
We hate to put too much pressure on young shoulders, but at the age of just 17, Luke Harris is already looking like a future star.

The young Welsh midfielder models his game on Frank Lampard, and that shines through in his game. He has 13 PL2 goals to his name this season in just 18 appearances, and that's at U23 level.

Harris' four-goal haul against Newcastle earlier this season earned him all sorts of acclaim, and Fulham may well give him a first-team chance next season.

Jay Stansfield
Jay Stansfield has shown promise for a number of years now at Fulham, and he's more than due a breakout campaign.

Stansfield was a regular on the Fulham bench last season, and he even has a senior goal to his name, scoring an absolute rocket against Birmingham City in the Carabao Cup.

The number nine will struggle to displace Aleksandar Mitrovic in the Fulham team, but don't be shocked if he gets minutes in the Premier League next term.

Ziyad Larkeche
Snapped up from PSG as a teenager. Ziyad Larkeche may be on the verge of becoming a rotation option for Fulham.

The left-back has shown all sorts of promise for the U23s this season, and with Joe Bryan and Antonee Robinson struggling to nail down that spot in the starting XI, an opportunity could present itself for the young Frenchman this term.

Larkeche is clearly a talented footballer. He remains the youngest player to ever appear for PSG in the UEFA Youth League, and at the age of 20, he's ready for a chance.

Sonny Hilton
Fulham fans have been calling for Sonny Hilton to get a chance all season long, and next year, we may finally see the youngster get an opportunity in Marco Silva's side.

The attacking midfielder is a brilliant ball carrier, and he's absolutely brilliant in the final third.

Nine goals and 12 assists in the PL2 this season should tell you all you need to know about Hilton, he's a fantastic attacking midfielder who can make things happen.

Hilton could certainly be one of next season's surprise packages.

Stefan Parkes
This is probably a long shot, but Fulham have been known to give chances to give chances to very young players before.

Parkes is only 18, but he's shown maturity beyond his years since emerging in the youth ranks at Fulham, breaking through into the U18s when he was just 15.

The teenager was named as one of the brightest young talents in the Premier League by the Guardian back in 2020, and now, two years later, he may be ready for his shot.

Parkes has captained England at U15 level, and the left-back remains a very highly-rated player in west London.

It may just be a matter of time before Parkes plays for the first-team at Craven Cottage.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/05/25/welsh-wizard-and-former-psg-starlet-5-fulham-youngsters-who-could-emulate-fabio-carvalho/

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James Tarkowski could spark a tug of war with Everton and Fulham, West Ham are eyeing Emmanuel Dennis and Manchester United may target Max Aarons... the players relegated from the Premier League who could get poached by the big boys this summer

    Burnley, Watford and Norwich were all relegated from the Premier League
    There will likely be plenty of ins and outs with the second-tier sides this summer
    Clarets man James Tarkowski could spark a tug of war with Everton and Fulham
    Hornets' Emmanuel Dennis impressed in his first season and West Ham are keen
    While Rio Ferdinand advised Manchester United to sign Norwich's Max Aarons
    Sportsmail looks at the stars who could get poached by the big boys this summer

With the relegation of Burnley, Watford and Norwich formalised on the Premier League's final day on Sunday, attention will quickly turn to reshaping their squads ahead of next season.

Despite the financial boost of parachute payments for the relegated trio, it is likely to be a busy summer of ins and outs, with the new second-tier sides likely hoping to cut several high earners from the wage bill and raise funds for a promotion push.

Clarets defender James Tarkowski, Hornets forward Emmanuel Dennis and Norwich star Max Aarons are among the biggest names linked with moves to other Premier League sides in this summer's transfer window.

Tarkowski could spark a transfer tug of war between Everton and Fulham, Dennis is interesting West Ham and Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand urged the Red Devils to sign Aarons - and they may not be the only stars on the move.

So, Sportsmail looks at the stars who could get poached by the big boys this summer.

Burnley
Nick Pope - Burnley are in a bit of a hole. Nine players out of contract, no manager, plus a potential fire sale with a £65million debt to repay...

And one of the first on the list out the door could be goalkeeper Pope. Having moved down to third choice for England behind Jordan Pickford and Aaron Ramsdale, the 30-year-old will want to be in the Premier League to cement a World Cup spot.

Sam Johnstone was called up for the Three Lions when in the Championship with West Bromwich Albion, but Pope won't want to take that risk. He could well be in demand, too, after several heroic performances towards the end of the season.

Burnley's £40m asking price may scare off potential suitors like West Ham and Fulham, the former hoping to pay more like half of that. If the Lancashire side refuse to budge on their demands, interest could be limited. But can they afford to do that?


Maxwel Cornet - Versatile Ivorian Maxwel Cornet, as one of the club's few saleable assets, is very likely to leave.

Signed for around £13m in the summer, the 25-year-old scored an impressive nine goals in 26 games, including several crackers and can cover striker, left midfield or left wing and left back.

He has a - now active - relegation release clause in his contract which allows clubs to sign him for £17.5m. Reports have suggested Eddie Howe's Newcastle could sign him if winger Allan Saint-Maximin leaves Tyneside.


James Tarkowski - Two years ago, Burnley rejected £30m offers for Tarkowski from West Ham and Leicester, believing £50m was closer to his value. Now his contract has expired, he will leave on a free transfer.

Newly promoted Fulham are keen to add his experience and nous to their backline, but more established top-flight sides like West Ham, Everton and Aston Villa probably consider themselves a more likely destination of the clubs in the running.

Young defenders Nathan Collins and Connor Roberts could also attract interest.

Watford
Emmanuel Dennis - Nigerian forward Dennis, the club's top scorer with 10, was a rare bright spark in Watford's season and one of their few hits in the transfer market. Sadly for Hornets fans, he is now almost certain to depart.

He is their best chance of making a quick buck to help fund their summer business, with the club looking for a fee starting at £20m - just a year after paying around £3m for the 24-year-old.

West Ham are looking for a striker to offer cover and competition to Michail Antonio, with Dennis also capable of playing on the wing. If sold, his former club Club Brugge would be due a sell-on fee, thought to be about five per cent.

A relegation clause in Dennis' contract will reduce his wages, but Watford know that even if they cannot sort a deal out, it is believed his wage demands would not be as large as certain other players after their relegation two years ago.

Ismaila Sarr - After a 13-goal season in 2020-21 to help the Hornets get promoted, Sarr has had a relatively quiet season by his standards, disrupted by injury, a gruelling AFCON campaign and middling form, with just five goals.

However, the right-sided winger is still a player with a lot of potential, with Premier League sides Everton, Newcastle and Crystal Palace reported as being keen.

The club would want a profit on the £28.8m deal - add-ons not included - to bring him to the club from Rennes in August 2019, but their bargaining position is obviously weakened by going down.

Journalist Rudy Galetti has claimed Liverpool and AC Milan are interested in the Senegalese international - watch this space.

Cucho Hernandez - Elsewhere, it seems uncertain which other players could command a sizeable fee.

Colombian winger Hernandez, who made his breakthrough season at Vicarage Road after four successive loans away, scored five and assisted three goals in his 28 games and showed flashes of brilliance.

A move to Europe, potentially to linked side Udinese in Italy, could be on the cards.

January signing and Player of the Season Hassane Kamara may be in demand, with 23-year-old central midfielder Imran Louza and forward Joao Pedro, 20, options for the sale list too.

Norwich
Max Aarons - The England U21 international has plenty of experience at top-flight level and has been attracting interest from several big sides since breaking into the team as an 18-year-old four years ago.

Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand urged the Red Devils to sign Aarons, 22, to solve their right-back problems amid the struggles of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot.

He is also being linked to the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and Fulham.


Andrew Omobamidele - The teenage Irishman is one of the best young prospects at the club and, after making nine appearances last year, was a squad member this, playing five times and scoring once.

Omobamidele, 19, did well when he played, but his promising start was curtailed by a long-term back injury which derailed his season.

The five-cap Republic of Ireland international could be a shrewd move for a Premier League side looking for a defender with plenty of potential.


Todd Cantwell - The attacking midfielder enjoyed superb seasons in 2019-20 and 2020-21, impressing despite the club's relegation from the top-flight and helping them bounce back immediately.

But a listless start to the season saw him loaned out to Championship side Bournemouth, where he failed to cement a regular spot, with the Cherries declining their reported £11m option to buy him at the end of the season.

As such, he will return to Carrow Road and try to regain his place, but it is reportedly felt manager Dean Smith expects to sell or loan him out again rather than hope he recovers his form of previous years. 

Milot Rashica was wanted by several big clubs before choosing Norwich but had a disappointing campaign, and striker Teemu Pukki scored 11 - a reasonable return - but he is 32 and the Canaries will likely want him to fire them straight back up again.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10848799/James-Tarkowski-Emmanuel-Dennis-Max-Aarons-relegated-players-poached-big-boys.html