Saturday Fulham Stuff - 18/06/22...

[WhiteJC]

Fulham and Wolves are locked in a two-way battle for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha as the Cottagers agree a £15m deal for Bruno Lage's preferred Ruben Neves replacement

    Fulham agree the fee with Sporting Lisbon as they look to bolster their squad
    Will be looking to avoid a third straight promotion back to the Championship
    Wolves also interested and have strong connections in Portuguese market

Fulham have agreed a £15million fee for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha, 26, who is also a target for Wolves.

The Cottagers, managed by Palhinha's fellow countryman Marco Silva, will be looking to avoid a third-straight relegation back to the Championship this season.

The signing of Palhinha plugs a gap in an obvious area of weakness for Fulham in central midfield, with the club having struggled there in particular on their last stay in the Premier League.


Joao Palhinha is believed to be a major target for both newly promoted Fulham and Wolves

It was also reported, however, that Wolves remain interested in the player and it is up to Palhinha to decide his future.

One report suggested that both 'proposals' interest the Portugal international.

It has been suggested that Palhinha remains Wolves' number one target this summer, with Ruben Neves rumoured to be departing the club.

However, it is unclear whether or not the West Midlands club are in a position where they will need to sell Neves before they bring in another player in that area.


The Sporting Lisbon midfielder impressed for them across a stellar campaign in Portugal

Palhinha enjoyed a successful season with Sporting Lisbon, making 27 appearances in the league and scoring three goals.

Meanwhile, Fulham look to be busy elsewhere in the market with a number of players mooted for a move to west London.

Bernd Leno, Neco Williams and Takumi Minamino are all targets, it has been reported, Fulham are also believed to be close to signing Manor Solomon from Shakhtar Donetsk.

At Wolves, it appears outgoings are currently more likely than incomings.

Adama Traore, who it had looked like would move to Barcelona permanently after his January loan move, is now uncertain of his future after that move has not transpired.

It is unclear whether or not the club's dire present financial state is blocking them from making a move for their former youth player.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10925517/Fulham-agree-15m-fee-Sporting-Lisbon-midfielder-Joao-Palhinha.html

[WhiteJC]

Liverpool could now sell 'outstanding' defender after bids lodged

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have received bids from Nottingham Forest and Fulham for Neco Williams, according to SI.

The report has claimed that Williams wants to leave Liverpool for more playing time, and that Premier League newcomers Forest and Fulham have made offers for him.

Crystal Palace are also keen on the Wales international right-back, according to the report, which has added that Liverpool are looking for £15 million for him.

Bids from Forest and Fulham 'are in the £12m-£15m range including add-ons which would satisfy Liverpool', according to SI.

Neco Williams should leave Liverpool

In our view, Neco Williams should leave Liverpool in the summer transfer window.

Described as "outstanding" by Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the club's official website in December 2021, Williams is a Wales international who will play for his country at the 2022 World Cup finals.

To be in good form in Qatar, the 21-year-old needs to play regularly in the opening months of next season.

And that is not going to happen at Liverpool, who have Trent Alexander-Arnold as their number one right-back.

Williams spent the second half of last season on loan at Fulham from Liverpool and helped them win promotion to the Premier League.

A season-long loan deal or a permanent transfer to Fulham would not be a bad move for the 21-year-old Liverpool right-back.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/06/17/liverpool-could-now-sell-outstanding-defender-after-bids-lodged/

[WhiteJC]

Ex-Fulham and Watford boss Slavisa Jokanovic is set to take over at Russian club Dynamo Moscow - eight months after being sacked by Sheffield United

    Jokanovic, 53, is set to take over at club that finished third in Russia last season
    Serbian coach returns to the dug-out eight months after leaving Bramall Lane
    He was sacked by the Championship club after slow start to the campaign

Slavisa Jokanovic, the former Fulham and Watford manager, is to become the new head coach of Dynamo Moscow.

The 53-year-old has been out of work since leaving Sheffield United last November after a difficult spell in the Championship.

Previously he had earned promotions to the Premier League with Watford and Fulham and won two league and cup doubles with Partizan Belgrade.


Slavisa Jokanovic, previously coach of Fulham, Watford and Sheffield United, is to become the new manager of Dynamo Moscow in Russia


Dynamo Moscow were beaten by city rivals Spartak in the final of last season's Russian Cup

Jokanovic, who played 53 times for Chelsea, is understood to have agreed a one-year contract with the option of a further year.

Dynamo finished third in the Russian Premier League last season and lost the Russian Cup final to city rivals Spartak, after which German coach Sandro Schwarz resigned.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10926049/Ex-Fulham-Watford-boss-Slavisa-Jokanovic-takes-Russian-club-Dynamo-Moscow.html

[WhiteJC]

Fulham table Williams bid

Fulham have tabled an offer for Liverpool right back Neco Williams as they aim to bring the Welsh international back to Craven Cottage on a permanent basis.

The 21 year-old made an instant impact when he joined Marco Silva's side on loan last January, fitting seamlessly into Fulham's system behind compatriot Harry Wilson, and making fifteen appearances – scoring twice and adding two assists – as the Whites surged to the Championship title. Williams is keen to play regular football again this term in order to retain his place in Rob Page's starting line up for the World Cup in Qatar and looks likely to leave Anfield this summer after Liverpool concluded a deal to bring in Calvin Ramsey from Aberdeen.

Liverpool value their talented right back at around £15m. Fulham, who face competition for Nottingham Forest for Williams' signature, are eager to complete a deal before their players return to Motspur Park for pre-season training – but it remains to seen if they will match the Reds' asking price in full up front.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/06/fulham-table-williams-bid/

[WhiteJC]

Player has 'already said yes' to Marco Silva – Fulham will make offer official today

The Portuguese media has good news for multiple clubs on Friday morning, and Fulham are among them.

Record report Sporting's Joao Palhinha has 'already said yes' to Marco Silva, after the manager made contact with the midfielder to convince him over a move.

Fulham have been working to hijack this transfer for over a week, and the weight of Portuguese reporting now suggests they'll be successful. Their first offer didn't reach the magic mark of €20m+, but the second attempt did and that appears to have done the trick.

Record then go on to pat themselves on the back and say how they've got all the reporting correct. They reiterate that it was Wolves who first held the power, but they stalled, which allowed Fulham to move into first place.

Palhinha has been keen to get his future sorted out as quickly as possible and that desire has helped Silva convince him.

Fulham's offer has been discussed verbally between the two clubs and will be sent officially in 'the next few hours', and then things should seriously get moving on the transfer.

Atletico Madrid are also keen, although it's not thought they'd offer as much as the Premier League club. Nevertheless, that's some encouragement for Fulham to hurry.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/player-already-said-yes-marco-silva/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham have made €18m offer for Porto player – Marco Silva fully in Portuguese market

The biggest Fulham news in Friday's Portuguese newspapers relates to Joao Palhinha and the London club closing in on a deal for the Sporting player.

Record also report a second offer from the London club for a midfielder. This time FC Porto's Marko Grujic.

The 26-year-old signed for Porto permanently in July 2021, having previously been on loan at the club from Liverpool. He failed to make the breakthrough at the Reds and has instead been building his career in Portugal.

Fulham's offer is said to be worth €18m, which is the same as they initially put forward for Palhinha. That may suggest the Porto midfielder was seen as an alternative.

That offer isn't consider to be enough, and there's an expectation at Porto that Grujic's value will rise when he represents Serbia at the Qatar World Cup later this year.

Nevertheless, it's clear Marco Silva is committed to shopping in Portugal, and the wider situation is certainly one to keep an eye on.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-made-e18m-offer-porto-player-marco-silva-fully-portuguese-market/

[WhiteJC]

£16m ace wanted to join Wolves, will now get £40k-a-week deal at Fulham

Joao Palhinha wanted to play for Bruno Lage at Wolves but will now sign a £40,000-a-week contract at Premier League rivals Fulham instead, as reported by A Bola.

The finish line was in sight. After tracking Palhinha for the best part of two years, Wolverhampton Wanderers were a burst of acceleration away from finally getting their mitts on a long-term transfer target. 

That is, however, until Fulham nipped in, overtaking the Black Country outfit at the final corner.

The Sun claimed earlier in June that Wolves had agreed personal terms with Palhinha and were expected to unveil the Sporting Lisbon midfielder sooner rather than later. According to Record, the former Braga loanee was keen on the idea of playing his football under former Benfica coach Lage at Molineux.

Fulham agree Joao Palhinha deal

Palhinha looks certain to work under another Primeira Liga winning coach in 2021/22, however. He has spoken to Fulham boss Marco Silva – who made his name at Sporting – with The Cottagers agreeing an initial £16 million fee with the 2021 Portuguese champions.

A Bola claim that Palhinha will earn £40,000-a-week at Craven Cottage; Double the wages he currently takes home at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

One of the most effective defensive midfielders in the whole of European football, putting pen to paper with Fulham certainly feels like something of a risk from Palhinha's point of view. There is a World Cup on the horizon after all, and the 26-year-old's international ambitions will take an almighty hit if he struggles to adapt to life at a club milling around the bottom of the Premier League.

Then again, after storming to the Championship title, Fulham's transfer business paints the picture of a club hoping to thrive rather than just survive as they prepare for life back in the big time. Palhinha is a real coup of a signing, and so too is Manor Solomon.

Bernd Leno could also arrive from Arsenal.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/06/17/16m-ace-wanted-to-join-wolves-will-now-get-40k-a-week-deal-at-fulham/

[WhiteJC]

Wolves and Fulham now said to be in picture for SC Braga player – Lage and Silva fighting on multiple fronts

Wolves and Fulham are conducting a Portugal based scrap on more than one front.

Joao Palhinha is the main character in the saga, but there's also a player at SC Braga who is of interest to both clubs.

Friday's edition of O Jogo reports the two Premier League sides are keen on Al-Musrati, with both having been linked previously.

Around a week ago it was reported the midfielder was close to signing for Marco Silva's side, before everything went quiet.

O Jogo believe this particular battle is a by-product of the Palhinha situation, with Wolves and Fulham having the Sporting player as first choice.

Should Palhinha move to the London club, which O Jogo feel is currently the likelier scenario, despite a late Wolves push, then Lage will move for Al-Musrati.

Fulham offered €8m to Braga 'weeks ago', but that was rejected because the club are looking for more than €12m.

The player is currently on holiday in Ibiza, waiting to learn what his future will be. Braga start preseason training on June 23rd, and he'll want to have his situation defined by then.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/wolves-fulham-now-said-picture-sc-braga-player-lage-silva-fighting-multiple-fronts/

[WhiteJC]

Palhinha says 'yes to Silva'

Joao Palhinha has verbally agreed to join Fulham after discussions with his former manager Marco Silva, according to Record.

Silva, who coached the Portuguese defensive midfielder when Palhinha was coming through the Lisbon club's ranks during his single season at Sporting in 2014/2015, has convinced the 26 year-old to pick Craven Cottage as his Premier League destination despite Wolves appearing to hold the upper hand in this transfer duel.

The Portuguese paper is confident that Fulham will now conclude a deal to bring the 6ft 3in enforcer to SW6 after agreement over an acceptable offer was reached between the clubs following intense negotiations over the past week. Palhinha, who has won fourteen senior caps for his country, starred as Sporting won the domestic double in 2021 – when he was voted into the Primeira Liga team of the year.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/06/palhinha-says-yes-to-silva/

[WhiteJC]

Southampton and Fulham rumoured to want Bradford City teen

ONE OF Bradford City's brightest teenage stars is reportedly catching the eye of Premier League clubs.

Freddy Jeffreys is a 16-year-old central midfielder, but despite his tender years, he is already an important fixture in the club's Under-19s side.

He played a key role last term in helping the Bantams to win the EFL Youth Alliance North East Division.

And Jeffreys' work has not gone unnoticed, with sister paper the Southern Daily Echo carrying the Daily Mail's report that Southampton and Fulham are looking to bring him in, both sides formerly managed by current City boss Mark Hughes.

Southampton and Fulham have won an Under-18s Premier League South title each in the last two seasons, so are two of the top youth sides around.

If Jeffreys is to make the move, he would not be the first teen to join a Premier League club's academy from City's in recent years.

Goalkeeper Darryl Ombang joined Leeds last July, while Brighton brought 16-year-old midfielder Sahil Bashir in for a six-figure sum earlier this year.



https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/20217272.southampton-fulham-rumoured-want-bradford-city-teen/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham offered '£15m for Grujic'

Fulham made an offer of around £15m for Porto's Serbian international midfielder Marko Grujic, according to reports from Portugal this morning.

Record – which carried the latest news on Joao Palhinha's potential move to Craven Cottage – says that Marco Silva's Premier League newcomers have been in touch with the Lions about the former Liverpool youngster. Grujic, a long-term Fulham transfer target from his days in England, made his switch to Portugal last July permanent after an impressive loan spell at Porto in 2020.

The 26 year-old, a product of Red Star Belgrade's prodigious academy, helped the Dragons win the domestic double last season and has long been tipped as a future star having won the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2015 in the same year that he led Red Star to the Serbian title. The 6ft 3in imposing midfielder, dubbed 'the new Nemanja Matic' in his homeland, played a key part in Serbia's qualification for the World Cup in Qatar and Porto are reluctant to part with his services. Fulham's initial offer was turned down – and it remains to be seen whether they will return given Silva's positive discussions with Palhinha.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/06/fulham-offered-15m-for-grujic/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham bid £16m for player Liverpool sold, but unlikely to sign La Liga ace

Fulham have submitted a £16 million bid to sign Porto's former Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic, according to Record, but Alex Moreno looks unlikely to join the Premier League outfit.

Things are heating up at Craven Cottage. Appropriately enough, on the hottest day of 2022 so far.

Fulham are on the verge of snatching Joao Palhinha from under Wolves' nose, agreeing a £16 million fee while offering the Sporting Lisbon man-mountain a £40,000-a-week deal at Craven Cottage. Manor Solomon, meanwhile, is expected to finally bring an end to one of 2022's longest-running transfer sagas, setting the Championship champions back a further £7 million.

But if Palhinha and Solomon are destined to become signings one and two, who will be the third? 

Well, it's unlikely to be Moreno.

Fulham want Marko Grujic but back away from Alex Moreno

According to AS, the swashbuckling left-back is set to leave Copa del Rey winners Real Betis before the summer is out. Fulham have 'cooled' their interest, however, after failing with an initial £8 million bid. Moreno recently turned 29, and you can see why Fulham would be reluctant to break the bank for a player who would not offer substantial re-sale value.

Celta Vigo's Javi Galan is likely to be both younger and cheaper.

The Cottagers have also hit the buffers in their pursuit of another transfer target; Powerhouse Serbia international Grujic. Record say that Fulham have seen a £16 million offer batted away for a man who joined Porto from Liverpool for around £10 million 12 months ago.

Grujic, who was Jurgen Klopp's first signing as Liverpool boss, is finally starting to fulfil his vast potential at the age of 26. He played 36 times as Porto snatched the Primeira Liga title back from Sporting Lisbon last season.

"Grujic is... a player with enormous potential," Porto coach Sergio Conceicao tells TVI24 of the former Hertha Berlin loanee. "With the height and physical capacity he has, he is a technically strong player."

"I think he should (move the ball) more quickly. That's what I've been saying to him. Midfielders are essential in the speed of ball movement. He must also be aggressive. He is an aggressive player, but what I ask for is this change in behaviour when recovering the ball. 

"But he is an extremely interesting player."

It is not certain whether Fulham see Grujic as an alternative to Palhinha, or someone capable of playing alongside him.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/06/17/fulham-bid-16m-for-player-liverpool-sold-but-unlikely-to-sign-la-liga-ace/

[WhiteJC]

League Two sides keen on 21-year-old Fulham man

Sonny Hilton could be set for an EFL loan move this summer, with the News and Star suggesting that a number of League Two sides could be keen to snap him up during the transfer window.

The 21-year-old has yet to get a league game for his current club Fulham and it appears there could be a few teams in the fourth tier of English football prepared to give him some more gametime. One team that has already been linked is Carlisle but it looks like there could be a few more queuing up too.

The Cottagers might be willing to let the player leave on a short-term basis too, with the player not looking likely to give him any action themselves now that they have been promoted back to the Premier League.

The midfielder has played for their reserve side on a regular basis though and has actually racked up over 50 appearances for the Fulham youth side. Last season though was easily his best for the reserves, as he managed 20 goal contributions in just 26 outings. That averaged out at 0.78 goals or assists per 90.

Now, after such impressive showings there, it appears that there is interest from League Two in exposing him to proper, competitive EFL football for next season. The player himself could benefit from more first-team action too, having only previously been out on loan on one occasion.

That was to TPS in Finland, where he made a total of 11 appearances and bagged one goal along the way. Now, it appears as though it could be the time for him to test his luck in England ahead of the next campaign.

The Verdict

Sonny Hilton is somewhat of an unknown quantity in the Football League considering his lack of playing time in a first-team squad and the lack of loan moves he has had so far.

He seems to have fared okay in Finland and having had a handful of games for TPS, he has at least some level of experience to draw upon ahead of another potential loan move. If he can perform to the same level in a first-team as he has for the Cottagers reserves, then whoever signs him would be getting themselves a good player.

The midfielder has proven he is capable of producing the goods in the youth teams but can he do the same on the big stage? Someone will have to give him that opportunity at some point and it looks like it could pay dividends when you look at his numbers and his record.

League Two would be a good first effort in England for the player and it would give a good indication too of his current level.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/league-two-sides-keen-on-21-year-old-fulham-man/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham now want £16m forward, one of Serie A's most exciting players

Premier League newcomers Fulham are now moving for £16 million Bologna winger Musa Barrow as they look to lure one of the most exciting forwards in Serie A to Craven Cottage, as reported by Tuttomercatoweb.

Now, Fulham fans know from experience that a summer of heavy spending is no guarantee of success.

The Cottagers spent over £100 million in the summer of 2018, after all, and still crashed and burned in the Premier League.

And, with Fulham investing substantial sums in another raft of players without even a shred of English football experience, the naysayers will say that history is repeating itself in West London.

On paper, however, the like of Joao Palhinha, Manor Solomon, Alex Moreno and Musa Barrow are four highly impressive, highly exciting signings, even if there are inevitable doubts about whether they can make the same sort of impact in a league that has left many a reputation in tatters.

Could Fulham really lure Musa Barrow to England?

Palhinha is expected to arrive sooner rather than later after Fulham agreed a £16 million deal with Sporting Lisbon. Manor Solomon is on his way too, from Shakhtar Donetsk. Talks with Real Betis left-back Alex Moreno are also ongoing.

Barrow, however, could be the most intriguing acquisition of the lot. Certainly the most expensive.

The Gambia international joined Bologna from Atalanta in a £16 million deal around two years ago and has gone from strength to strength since then. Imagine a right-footed Arjen Robben and you get the idea. Barrow's personal party piece – cutting in from the left before curling inch-perfect shots into the far corner – has left many a Serie A goalkeeper flailing a thin air during his time at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.

TMW believe that Fulham have kick-started their pursuit of the fleet-footed Barrow. It is not entirely certain, at this stage, whether Fulham see him as someone capable of playing alongside fellow winger Solomon, or whether the 23-year-old is merely a back up behind their top target.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/06/17/fulham-now-want-16m-forward-one-of-serie-as-most-exciting-players/

[WhiteJC]

Can promoted clubs end opening-day hoodoo?

Fulham, AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest aim to record historic win treble on Matchweek 1

History can be made when Fulham, AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest kick off their 2022/23 Premier League campaigns on Saturday 6 August.

Never in the competition's history have all three promoted sides won on the opening weekend - but last season was the closest in 24 years.

The three Premier League newcomers in 2021/22, Brentford, Watford and Norwich City, just fell short of completing a historic treble.

Thomas Frank's Bees took derby honours with a 2-0 win over Arsenal on the opening day before Watford triumphed 3-2 against Aston Villa.

However, Norwich's 3-0 home defeat by Liverpool put paid to a hat-trick of victories.

This is only the second season in which the three teams who have come up to the Premier League have claimed more than a combined four points on the opening weekend.

The other time was in 1997/98, when Bolton Wanderers and Crystal Palace each won to return six points.

Home sweet home?

This season has a similar look, with two of the three promoted sides handed opening-day matches on home soil.

Fulham, who scored 56 goals at Craven Cottage last term, will not be cowed by the prospect of hosting Liverpool first up.

In 2020/21, Fulham took four points off Jurgen Klopp's men, following up a 1-1 home draw against the Reds with a 1-0 away success, as Mario Lemina's first-half strike condemned Liverpool to a sixth consecutive defeat at Anfield.

However, Klopp has yet to lose any of his previous six season openers.

While Marco Silva's Fulham host last season's Premier League runners-up, AFC Bournemouth will also be looking to utilise home advantage.

Scott Parker's side have only suffered one league defeat at Vitality Stadium in 2022 and will relish the visit of Aston Villa.

The Cherries have beaten Villa in each of their last three top-flight meetings.

Forest end their 23-year Premier League exile looking to make club history with a trip to Newcastle United.

The two clubs have met eight times previously in the competition, but the East Midlands side have yet to record a Premier League win in the fixture.

Indeed, they have taken just three points from a possible 24 against Newcastle, although their two most recent encounters with the Magpies did yield EFL Cup victories in 2017 and 2018.



https://www.premierleague.com/news/2647513

[WhiteJC]

Pre-Season Update

Fulham will take on Estoril in the final match of our pre-season training camp in Portugal next month.

We will head to the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota, which is located around a half hour drive west of Lisbon, on Sunday 24th July, kick-off at 6pm.

It marks a return for Marco Silva to the club where he ended his playing career and cut his managerial teeth.

Tickets for this fixture are priced at €20 for adults and €10 for juniors aged 12 and under, and will be available to purchase online from Friday 1st July or on the day subject to availability.

We can also now confirm that our matches against OGC Nice and SL Benfica in the Algarve will both kick-off at 8.15pm.

Tickets for these two fixtures are priced at €15 per match and will be available to buy online from Tuesday 21st June.

Fans attending our Algarve Trophy matches may be interested in the below hotel packages run by an external company, with the prices including tickets to both games. Please note that these packages do not include travel to and from Portugal.

Hotel packages



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/june/17/pre-season-update/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham to face Estoril on Portugal pre-season tour

Fulham have finally confirmed the itinerary for their pre-season tour of Portugal next month – and added in a friendly against Marco Silva's old side Estoril.

The Whites will take on Estoril, where their head coach both ended his playing career and held his first managerial job, at Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Saturday 24th July, with kick off at 6pm Portuguese time.

That fixture follows on from Fulham's participation in the Algarve Trophy in Faro the previous weekend. The Premier League newcomers will play French opposition in the shape of Nice on Saturday 16th July (kick off at 8.15pm) and then face Benfica the following day (also an 8.15pm kick off).



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/06/fulham-to-face-estoril-on-portugal-pre-season-tour/

[WhiteJC]

Wolves transfer news: Fulham waiting for Joao Palhinha's answer, Wanderers still seeking deal

Fulham are said to be awaiting an answer from Joao Palhinha having reached an agreement with Sporting CP, with Wolves still looking to strike a deal of their own.

According to a report from O Jogo this morning, the Cottagers are close to landing the player.

They have apparently had a bid of £17 million accepted by the Portuguese outfit.

Marco Silva is said to have spoken to the player and is confident of him saying yes.

But it is stated that Wolves are still racing to try and match the proposal.

The report claims that Wolves are going on the attack for Palhinha to avoid missing out to Fulham.

They had been planning on making player sales first, but seemingly now fear losing out on Palhinha and are pushing to sign him.

Many Wolves fans have been expressing their frustrations on social media over the past few days.

Palhinha is a player who has long been linked with the club.

It has felt as though this could be the window in which he finally makes his move to Molineux, and reports a few weeks ago had pointed towards a relatively straightforward signing.

But there is now a very real chance Fulham could pinch him.

Wolves should not have waited to sell players first, as Fulham threaten to pinch Palhinha

It is looking as though Fulham are now in pole position to sign Palhinha, and it will be huge frustrating if they manage to get him.

O Jogo appear to suggest that Wolves have indeed been waiting to sell players first, before making additions.

This is something that could now ultimately cost the club a key transfer target.

Really, the plan should have been to get people in first.

Because the chances are, players like Ruben Neves and Adama Traore are not going to be short of suitors this summer.



https://www.molineux.news/transfer-news/wolves-transfer-news-fulham-waiting-for-joao-palhinhas-answer-wanderers-still-seeking-deal/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham table offer to sign Marko Grujic

Former Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic could reportedly be set for a return to the Premier League as Fulham plot summer swoop.

According to a report from Record, as relayed by Sport Witness, Fulham have set their sights on a summer move for Marko Grujic. The former Liverpool midfielder is currently plying his trade with FC Porto, but he could be set for a return to England as Marco Silva looks to secure his services in the summer.

The report suggests Fulham have made a fresh €18 million offer to sign Grujic ahead of the new season. It appears the newly-promoted club have been left impressed with the midfielder's excellent performances in the Portuguese top flight and want him to improve the team's midfield next season.

Marko Grujic was decried as a sensible long-term investment when he joined Liverpool in a €7 million deal from Red Star Belgrade. But during his time at Anfield, the midfielder mustered only 16 competitive appearances for the club. His spell at Liverpool FC was dominated by a series of loan spells at Cardiff City, Hertha BSC, and FC Porto.

The Serbian midfielder has found his footing at FC Porto. He spent two seasons on loan with the Portuguese giants, racking up 75 competitive appearances and establishing himself as a crucial player in Sergio Conceicao's midfield setup.

Although Grujic is far from a guaranteed starter at Porto, he has raised many eyebrows with his aggression and work ethic that might make him an ideal fit for the Premier League. The player himself has unfinished business in England and could embrace a move to Fulham in an attempt to prove his worth in the English top flight after failing to make his mark at Liverpool.

Currently linked with a move for Joao Palhinha, Fulham are seriously looking to upgrade their ranks in the middle of the park. With Wolves also interested in securing the services of the Sporting CP star, Grujic has been identified as a potential alternative for coach Marco Silva, who has a vast knowledge of Portuguese football.

Silva believes Grujic has what it takes to improve Fulham's second line of press that could go a long way in helping them survive in the top-flight next season. However, securing his services could be tricky for Fulham as FC Porto are holding out for a much higher fee than the €18 million offer made by the Londoners.

There is a possibility Porto may end up keeping hold of Grujic altogether as they believe the midfielder's valuation could increase astronomically if he performs for Serbia in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar.



http://www.thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2022/06/17/fulham-table-offer-to-sign-marko-grujic/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham reach agreement to sign Joao Palhinha

Newly-promoted Premier League side Fulham have reportedly reached an agreement with Sporting CP for the signing of defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha.

According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Fulham have reached an agreement with Sporting CP for the summer transfer of Portuguese midfielder Joao Palhinha. The two clubs have agreed on a fee of around €18 million plus add-ons for the 26-year-old, who is also being courted by Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Palhinha is said to be inclined towards a Premier League move, with two clubs from the English top flight showing serious interest. Both the clubs have reportedly made their offers to the player, who is now left with an important decision to make, which as per Romano, he will make 'soon'.

Wolves were the first club to show interest in Palhinha, with reports claiming they had agreed to a €20 million deal for the combative midfielder before Fulham swooped in. However, they are yet to offload Ruben Neves, who has been linked with Barcelona and Manchester United, and it has affected their move for the Sporting midfielder.

The delay in getting the deal through saw Fulham make a backdoor entry. The Cottagers were quick to approach Sporting and reach a full agreement over the transfer fees. Fulham are now in discussion with the player, who is also 'tempted by the Wolves proposal'. An update on the transfer saga can be expected shortly.

The Cottagers have started making moves in the transfer market as they return to the Premier League after finishing atop the Championship table last season. Midfield is one of the positions Fulham wish to strengthen, and Palhinha has emerged as a potential option.

He could just be the type of midfielder Fulham are on the lookout for. The Portuguese midfielder can be used to disrupt the opposition's flow because the Cottagers will enter the majority of matches in the upcoming Premier League season as the underdogs. They may have to fend off interest from Tottenham as well, who were once plotting a bid for the midfielder.

Palhinha started six matches for Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League this past season as they qualified for the Round of 16, where they lost to Manchester City. Moreover, he has been capped 14 times by the Portuguese national team, for whom he has scored two goals.



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