Thursday Fulham Stuff - 30/06/22...

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79.5% pass accuracy: Would Coventry City midfielder cut it in the Premier League amid Fulham transfer links?

Coventry have continued to shine in the Championship since their promotion back into the second tier – and part of the reason is because of Gus Hamer.

The 25-year-old first joined up with the Sky Blues as they were looking for fresh faces to help them out after their promotion and he was somehwhat of an unknown quantity in England.

Unless you were an avid follower of PEC Zwolle or Dutch football, the chances are you were probably unfamiliar with the midfielder. Now, after two barnstorming seasons with Coventry, everybody in the EFL is aware of just who he is.

So much so, in fact, that there is often plenty of interest in stealing him away from the Sky Blues. That is the case again this summer, with Fulham looking to swoop for his services according to The Sun and could give him the chance to try his luck in the Premier League.

The Cottagers themselves need fresh faces this offseason as they prepare for life back in the top flight – and they could do a lot worse than Hamer. Do his numbers suggest a player that is capable of making the jump up though?

The answer is a resounding yes if you look at his stats from last season in the Championship.

That’s because, for a midfielder, he does everything you would want from someone in his role and more. For example, let’s take a look at his passing ability. For someone who is expected to sit in the centre of the field and dictate the play, the 25-year-old has proven that he can do it with ease.

Last term, he had a 79.5% pass accuracy rating and averaged just over 48 per game with his long ball totals still faring well at six per game and 56.2& accuracy. It shows that whether he’s keeping the ball on the floor or lofting it forwards towards an attacking player, he can certainly pick out and find his man.

He also produced an accuracy rating of 66.7% with balls into the oppositions half – impressive when you consider he had 396 in total over the course of the season.

It’s not just offensively that Hamer shines either. With an average of 8.52 ball recoveries in the opposition’s half per 90, it shows that he isn’t afraid to put a foot in or to press high and win the ball back for his team in a dangerous area. In general, he also averages 8.84 defensive duels won per 90 too despite playing in midfield rather than as part of a backline for the Sky Blues.

Hamer then seems to be the full package and is a player that shows no signs of slowing down in his progress or development.

Whilst he has yet to be tested in the Premier League, it appears as though, based on his numbers, he would be a shrewd signing for the Cottagers and could similarly take the top flight by storm too.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/79-5-pass-accuracy-would-coventry-city-midfielder-cut-it-in-the-premier-league-amid-fulham-transfer-links/

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Hull City suffer major transfer blow as ex-Fulham star opts for move elsewhere

The latest Hull City transfer news from Hull Live

Hull City appear to have missed out on the signing of Jean Michael Seri, Hull Live understands. The Ivory Coast midfielder was a major summer target for Shota Arveladze and owner Acun Ilicali, but the Tigers will now be forced to look elsewhere in their quest to strengthen their midfield ranks.

Ilicali has spent much of the summer in discussions with the 30-year-old enforcer and invited him over to Istanbul for a few days in a bid to sell him the City dream of winning promotion. Seri was then in Hull over the weekend with his family to visit the city, the Tigers' training ground and the MKM Stadium.

City's Turkish owner was still confident of signing the ex-Fulham man, though vice-chairman Tan Kesler was a little more cautious in an interview with the BBC on Monday.

After further conversation with his family, it's understood Seri has declined the chance to join City in what will be considered a significant setback, with a move elsewhere in Europe now likely to be on the cards.

City have seen skipper Richie Smallwood depart already this summer, along with club legend Tom Huddlestone and George Honeyman, while Andy Cannon is allowed to move on after finishing the season with National League winners Stockport County. The club have signed Adama Traore and Ozan Tufan in a bid to restock their midfield ranks, though Traore is understood to have suffered from an injury setback in training this week, but Seri's decision to go elsewhere leaves them light in a key area.

 "Very probably he will be wearing a Hull City shirt. I was with him in Istanbul, and before I was a fan of his football but after I've got to know him, I'm a fan of his character, too.," a hopeful Ilicali said at the weekend. "He is fully focussed on football, he's a family man who has the passion to take us to higher places.

"He will be chief of our orchestra in this team and with this quality of player being the chief in the team, I believe we will be very happy."



https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/hull-city-suffer-major-transfer-7269367

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‘Frustrated’: Fulham target admits he missed out on Manchester City move

Fulham target Djibril Sidibe admits he could’ve joined Atletico Madrid or Premier League champions Manchester City while at Monaco, speaking in quotes translated by Marca.

Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva, Fabinho, Joao Moutinho and Thomas Lemar; It’s fair to say the majority of the wonderful, once-in-a-generation Monaco side who snatched the Ligue 1 title from under Paris Saint-Germain’s nose back in 2017 have gone on to rather big things.

Tiemoue Bakayoko and Benjamin Mendy secured big-money moves to the Premier League too in the aftermath of that thrilling campaign in the Principality.

So you can understand why Sidibe feels like a bit of an odd-one out.

The France international right-back was one of the very few players that Monaco refused to sell, thus costing a now 29-year-old free-agent the chance to embark on a dream move to one of the biggest clubs on the continent.

Man City once wanted Fulham target Djibril Sidibe

“Atletico and other clubs like Manchester City contacted my agent,” says Sidibe, who will leave Monaco when his contract expires this week. “But where I wanted to go was to Atletico.

“I needed to remove that ‘counter-attacking player’ label. I wanted to become a benchmark, a true defender. Atletico told me that I needed to acquire some of those ingredients, to train well to become a beast in defence.”

Sidibe did spent a rather hit-and-miss loan spell at Everton in 2019/20, and a return to the Premier League appears to be on the cards this summer. According to Sky Sports, the former Lille man is in talks with newly-promoted Fulham.

But, with all due respect to the Cottagers, they aren’t Atletico Madrid.

“The negotiations were complicated. I think there was a bit of greed on Monaco’s part. But I don’t blame them,” Sidibe recalls, claiming that a move to Madrid fell through due to a difference in opinion over the defender’s price-tag.

“I was really frustrated because it was the best opportunity to broaden my game. It took me a long time to digest the frustration.”



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/06/29/frustrated-fulham-target-admits-he-missed-out-on-manchester-city-move/

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Manager wants Fulham and Arsenal targets sold, £8m deal underway

New Wolfsburg coach Niko Kovac wants to sell Kevin Mbabu as Fulham look to bring the Bundesliga misfit back to the Premier League, as reported by BILD, with Arsenal-linked Omar Marmoush another on his way out.

After a hugely disappointing 12th place finish in 2021/22, former Bayern Munich and Monaco boss Kovac certainly isn’t waiting around as he looks to put his stamp on a Wolfsburg side who have fallen a long way since the title-chasing, Kevin de Bruyne and Ivan Perisic era. 

Kovac is determined to trim the fat from a bloated squad. And a whole host of players have been placed on the transfer-list ahead of a summer of transition.

Mbabu, who fell behind the exciting German international Ridle Baku in Wolfsburg’s pecking order last season, is one of many in danger of being shoved rather unceremoniously out the exit door.

An ambitious, big-spending Fulham could offer the one-time Newcastle United youngster a fresh start at Craven Cottage. The aggressive, buccaneering Mbabu is available for £8 million and has already held talks with the West London outfit (Daily Mail).

The 27-year-old right-back is not the only Premier League-linked player on his way out of the Volkswagen Arena. BILD claims that Egyptian forward Marmoush is available too, despite some eye-catching performances on loan at Stuttgart last term.

Fulham target Kevin Mbabu while Arsenal like Omar Marmoush

Capital city neighbours Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly have 23-year-old Marmoush in their crosshairs, even if both clubs now appear to be looking at more high-profile options from Raphinha to Richarlison.

“My dream is the Premier League,” Marmoush admitted back in April. “I don’t have a favourite club, but I watch Arsenal and Liverpool a lot.” 

That, of course, may have something to do with the fact that Mo Elneny and Mohamed Salah – two of his team-mates at international level – ply their trade at the Emirates and Anfield.

It remains to be seen if Arsenal plan to turn their attention to set-piece specialist Marmoush as Raphinha closes in on a move to Chelsea instead.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/06/29/manager-wants-fulham-and-arsenal-targets-sold-8m-deal-underway/

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Liverpool REJECT Nottingham Forest's offer for Neco Williams as the Reds hold out for £15m after full-back's impressive loan spell at Fulham

    Liverpool turned down Nottingham Forest's opening offer for Neco Williams
    The Premier League giants are holding out for the £15m price tag they gave him
    Williams is expected to leave Liverpool as he will struggle for minutes next term
    The arrival of Calvin Ramsay has pushed him further down the pecking order

Liverpool have turned down Nottingham Forest's opening offer for Neco Williams as they are holding out for the £15million price tag they recently attached to him.

The 21-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Fulham, and delivered a number of impressive performances to help the Cottagers gain promotion to the Premier League.

As a result, several clubs have registered an interest in signing the 21-year-old defender - who is unlikely to feature for Liverpool next season following the signing of Calvin Ramsay.
 

Nottingham Forest have had an offer rejected for Liverpool full-back Neco Williams
 

Williams caught the attention of several clubs during his impressive loan spell at Fulham

Ramsay - who signed from Aberdeen - now looks set to provide back-up for Trent Alexander-Arnold moving forward, which could open the door for Williams to leave permanently.

Forest were eager to captalise on Williams' situation at Liverpool after identifying him as a potential replacement for Djed Spence, who flourished on loan from Middlesbrough last term.

Forest approached Liverpool with an opening bid for the 21-year-old defender but the Premier League giants rejected their offer as they are holding out for at least £15m.

Fulham, Southampton and PSV Eindhoven have also shown interest in the Wales international - who made only one appearance in the Premier League for Jurgen Klopp's side last season.

Fulham have also spoken to Monaco defender Djibril Sidibe, who is set to leave the Ligue 1 side at the end of this month.

But Williams appears to be their main target, and he could be just one of a few Reds players whose departure from Anfield could be confirmed in the near future.

Divock Origi, Loris Karius and Ben Woodburn were among those named on a released list by Liverpool. While the likes of Sadio Mane has joined Bayern Munich. 



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10964925/Liverpool-REJECT-Nottingham-Forests-offer-Neco-Williams.html

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From Portugal: More details on Joao Palhinha to Fulham issues, and how situation stands

Since João Palhinha’s transfer to Fulham still hasn’t been made official, each Portuguese newspaper today comes up with its own story to talk about this delay today.

One of them is A Bola, who have a very similar story to the one published on Tuesday by UOL, who said Jorge Mendes demands €2m from the move.

They say the super agent had been given exclusivity to negotiate Palhinha’s sale in the English market, but claim the deal with Fulham was actually agreed by Hernan Reguera, along with the player’s brother Gonçalo.

The issue is that the offer they brought to Sporting was €18m. Then Jorge Mendes showed up, handled the talks and made Fulham reach €20m plus €2m in bonuses. So now his company, Gestifute, believe they should get 10% of that amount, while Reguera thinks differently.

A Bola says the agreement has been closed since last Friday, and the commissions are the only issue stopping the move. The newspaper is still confident that ‘all parties’ believe the transfer is happening and the player is travelling to London in the coming days, with Jorge Mendes obviously winning the battle.

Meanwhile, other newspapers such as Correio da Manhã, O Jogo and Record all cover the claims regarding a potential issue between the agents, but still make it clear that the agreement is done and not collapsing. The latter two claim it’s Mendes who’s been responsible for the talks all along.

Correio da Manhã is the most confident about how quick it will happen, claiming the deal will be announced ‘in the coming hours or, at the limit, in one or two days’.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/portugal-details-joao-palhinha-fulham-issues-situation-stands/

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PL newboys put off by price tag for Liverpool starlet, earmark £8m alternative in Germany

Transfer News: Fulham turn attention from Liverpool right-back Neco Williams to Kevin Mbabu

According to the Daily Mail, Fulham are considering Kevin Mbabu of Wolfsburg as a cheaper alternative to Liverpool starlet Neco Williams.

The Reds are demanding £15m for the Wales international who spent the second half of last season on loan at Craven Cottage. But the price tag seems to have driven the Cottagers away.

They are apparently eyeing an £8m deal for Wolfsburg defender Kevin Mbabu. The Switzerland international was brought to England by Newcastle United in the winter of 2013.

The move didn’t work out but over the years, he has built a solid reputation for himself at right-back. The 27-year-old defender has 22 caps for his country.

No Fulham move for Williams?

The Magpies would know why the price is cheaper for Mbabu. He has one year left on his deal but is also six years older than Williams- who still has his best years ahead of him.

Neco has shown that he can hack it in England, first at Liverpool while playing as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s backup, and then with the Cottagers. Nevertheless, Fulham’s stance would also make sense.

They have only just been promoted back to the Premier League and their immediate, short-term goal would be to first ensure survival in the upcoming season and then build from there.

Nottingham Forest are another team interested in Liverpool’s right-back who looks set to represent Rob Page’s Welsh national team in Qatar later this year.

One can expect the player to seal a move away from the Reds this summer- be it temporary or permanent- because Jurgen Klopp signing Calvin Ramsay has only increased competition at right-back, where Joe Gomez has also deputized in the past.



https://thekoptimes.com/2022/06/29/fulham-neco-williams-latest-transfer-news-kevin-mbabu-wolfsburg-liverpool-lfc/

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Midfielder has yet to reply to Fulham’s offer – Currently in ‘comfortable’ situation, happy to wait

Despite recent reports claiming Fulham FC had an agreement with Manchester United for the signing of Andreas Pereira, we now see the Brazilian media adding their take when commenting on this attempt.

Earlier today, we covered a story from Globo Esporte which said the talks between the Cottagers and the Red Devils are ‘underway’, with the offer being of €10m plus €3m in bonuses.

It was said the player, who’s returning to England soon, will still speak to Erik ten Hag about his future.

It turns out that a report from journalist André Hernan also says nothing is defined yet.

It’s claimed that Manchester United and Fulham indeed have an agreement for the transfer, but Pereira, however, is still to give his stance about that.

The midfielder is said to be very ‘comfortable’ with this situation, mostly because he’d like to stay at Flamengo, who have him on loan until the end of this week.

But even if it doesn’t happen, he’ll return to Manchester United with no problems.

It’s said the possibility of a move to Fulham ‘still isn’t very clear’, as he’s yet to respond.

Hernan insists this is a ‘comfortable’ situation for Pereira, and Flamengo have yet to say whether they’d like to spend €10m on the signing, as previously agreed with Manchester United.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/midfielder-yet-reply-fulhams-offer-currently-comfortable-situation-happy-wait/

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Fulham hold talks with Wolfsburg over summer move for Kevin Mbabu

Fulham have held talks with Wolfsburg over a summer move for Kevin Mbabu, with Nottingham Forest now in pole position to sign Neco Williams, 90min understands.

The Cottagers had been hopeful of securing a double swoop for Liverpool pair Williams and Takumi Minamino this summer.

However, Minamino has since joined Monaco and it seems that they could miss out on Williams too. 90min understands that Forest - who are looking to replace the likely Tottenham-bound Djed Spence - are in pole position to secure the Wales international's services.

With their hopes of signing Williams permanently following his impressive loan spell dwindling, Fulham are preparing a backup option in the form of Mbabu.

The Premier League newbies have already held talks with Wolfsburg and would be ready to advance negotiations once Williams' future is decided.

90min has been informed that both Forest and Fulham are holding fire until the Spence deal is completed too, with Middlesbrough and Spurs not currently close to agreeing terms.

Right-back is not the only area that the Cottagers are looking to strengthen this window either. Bringing in a new goalkeeper is also a priority with Fulham already missing out on Alphonse Areola and Thomas Strakosha.

They are now considering a move for Trabzonspor stopper Uğurcan Çakır with contact already being made with intermediaries. Meanwhile, a deal for Israeli playmaker Manor Solomon continues to progress.



https://www.90min.com/posts/fulham-hold-talks-with-wolfsburg-over-summer-move-for-kevin-mbabu

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Wolves: Journalist makes Jorge Mendes claim over Palhinha

Wolverhampton Wanderers transfer target Joao Palhinha’s move to Fulham is said to have stalled.

What’s the word?

That is according to a report from reliable journalist Bruno Andrade who claims that Palhinha’s move to Premier League rivals Fulham has been delayed because of close club contact Jorge Mendes.

Taking to his personal Twitter account, Andrade issued an update on the situation: “Business of €20m is stopped because Jorge Mendes received from Sporting last season the power of attorney to exclusively discuss the future of the midfielder in the English market, believing in an agreement with Wolverhampton.

“Who arranged the (forwarded) transfer of Palhinha to Fulham, however, was another agent: Hernan Reguera. The problem is that Jorge Mendes now charges €2m for being out of the current negotiation, as he had priority in intermediation.

“At first, Sporting is then responsible for paying the €2m to Jorge Mendes to unlock the sale of Palhinha to Fulham.

“There is currently no agreement between Palhinha and Wolves. Sporting believed back there that a negotiation could arise, so it handed over the power of attorney/authorization to Jorge Mendes.”

Lage surely buzzing

It seems as though super-agent Mendes has once again flexed his muscle in the transfer market, holding up the transfer of Palhinha to league rivals Fulham and consequently creating a potential opening for Wolves to swoop in and hijack the deal.

Mendes looks as though he holds the cards at this moment in time, so a last-minute switch to Wolves is most certainly not impossible.

The 26-year-old would be a welcome addition to Lage’s engine room, chipping in with an average of 3.04 tackles per game, and an elite average of 32.42 pressures per 90 surpassing that of Ruben Neves’ average of 2.45 tackles and 18.95 pressures per 90.

Considering he could depart this summer, those metrics would be incredibly useful in the midfield at Molineux.

Mendes has carved open a last-ditch chance for Wolves to seal a deal for the Sporting CP midfielder and they must act pronto. Should they get a move over the line, it would no doubt leave the manager a very happy man.



https://www.footballfancast.com/wolves-news/wolves-journalist-makes-jorge-mendes-claim-over-palhinha-fulham-transfer-news-wolves-transfer-news-bruno-lage-summer-signing-jorge-mendes

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Alessio Romagnoli among 5 free agents Fulham could sign from July 1

Fulham are interested in signing AC Milan defender Alessio Romagnoli as a free agent with his terms expiring on June 30, and here are four other options for Marco Silva to consider.

The Craven Cottage outfit are alert to Romagnoli’s situation at the San Siro as Silva strives to strengthen his ranks. He led the west London natives back into the Premier League last season as winners of the Championship for the third promotion in the last five campaigns.

Silva is now eager to avoid following his predecessors in charge by stopping Fulham falling straight back into the second-tier. And he believes Romagnoli has the leadership and skill to lead the club next term, with the Rossoneri captain hitting the market for free on July 1.

Fulham are interested in signing AC Milan captain Romagnoli as a free agent

Fulham have made Romagnoli an offer to move to the Premier League as a free agent with his contract at AC Milan expiring this month. TuttoMercatoWEB report Silva has presented the Italian with a €4m-a-year (£66k-a/w) deal as he is serious about signing the centre-half.

Romagnoli is studying the Cottagers’ terms, but is also eager to understand if AC Milan will reassess his departure. The 27-year-old is also keen to learn if Lazio will make an improved offer, as the proposal the Biancocelesti made does not meet what he believes he is worth.

AC Milan are open to Romagnoli leaving on the back of winning the Serie A title last season as he has fallen in Stefano Pioli’s pecking order. The 12-cap Azzurri enforcer only played 19 league fixtures last term, plus seven cup ties including five of six in the Champions League.

A transfer to Craven Cottage would be the Roma product’s first spell in England, having not played outside of Italy. But Romagnoli is just one of many soon-to-be free agents that Silva could sign to strengthen his ranks at Fulham to avoid relegation from the Premier League…

Fulham can reunite Sidibe and Silva by signing Monaco ace as a free agent

Fulham are on the hunt for a right-back after Neco Williams returned to Liverpool following his successful spell on loan. And Sky Sports report the Cottagers have made a €10m (£9m) bid for Wolfsburg star Kevin Mbabu. But Silva can save his money by signing Djibril Sidibe.

AS Monaco have confirmed they are releasing Sidibe with his contract expiring on June 30. The 29-year-old has made 174 appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit in all competitions since joining from LOSC Lille in 2016. He also made 26 of his outings during the 2021/22 season.

Fulham can now sign Sidibe as a free agent to strengthen Silva’s options at right-back and offer the 18-cap international a second chance in the Premier League. Any deal would also reunite the Frenchman and Silva, having joined Everton on loan under him during 2019/20.

Silva signed Sidibe whilst in charge at Goodison Park to support and rival Seamus Coleman for minutes. The right-back would make 28 appearances in royal blue, including 25 Premier League games for four assists, and can now join Silva at Fulham as a free agent from July 1.

Strakosha can solve Fulham’s search for a goalkeeper as English options reduce

Fulham are interested in signing Thomas Strakosha with the goalkeeper leaving Lazio as a free agent on June 30. But Express journalist Ryan Taylor notes the Albanian is considering his other options as there is now tension between the Cottagers and his agent, Pini Zahavi.

Yet Strakosha’s options in England are reducing as Newcastle United – a long-touted suitor – have signed Burnley stopper Nick Pope. Fabrizio Romano has also credited Chelsea with interest, but the Mirror (26/06, p73) suggest his wage demands are proving to be an issue.

Fulham putting their discrepancies with Zahavi to one side, then, could see Strakosha solve Silva’s search for a goalkeeper. The 27-year-old enjoyed 31 appearances in all competitions last season for 11 clean sheets, including keeping seven shut outs from 23 Serie A matches.

Brooks to leave Wolfsburg as a free agent after five years with the club

Wolfsburg have elected to release John Brooks as a free agent this summer after five years with the Bundesliga club. The defender set the record fee for an American when he moved to the Volkswagen Arena from Hertha Berlin for $20m (£16.5m), and may stay in Germany.

Hoffenheim are interested in Brooks to add a robust enforcer to their centre-back ranks, according to Kicker. But the 29-year-old can also add an imposing presence to Silva’s side as the Berlin-born star bids to secure his return to the USMNT ahead of the World Cup.

He has not played for the United States since September despite maintaining an important presence at Wolfsburg. Brooks enjoyed 36 appearances last season, with 31 in the German top-flight for 10 clean sheets, so could welcome a chance to prove himself in England next.

Fulham can sign midfield all-rounder in Hoffenheim free agent Grillitsch

Fulham can sign an all-rounder to strengthen Silva’s options in midfield in Hoffenheim free agent Florian Grillitsch. The Austrian is leaving the Rhein-Neckar-Arena side after five years and 151 games, eight goals and 11 assists in all competitions in a deep-lying central role.

His strong ability on and off the ball has seen the 33-cap technician maintain a vital role at Die Kraichgauer. Grillitsch is safe on the ball, spreads play with an array of passes, can beat his marker and harasses opponents into conceding possession in various areas of the field.

Fulham may need to strike fast to sign Grillitsch once he officially becomes a free agent on July 1, though. Romano claimed earlier in June that the 26-year-old agreed a four-year deal with Fiorentina. But TMW now note that Roma held fresh talks with his agent this Monday.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/06/29/alessio-romagnoli-among-5-free-agents-fulham-could-sign-from-july-1/

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Good to have you back, lads. 👊

Get FULACCESS into the first day of pre-season: 🎥#FFC

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) June 29, 2022

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FULACCESS: First Day Back

Delve behind-the-scenes as the squad returned for day one of pre-season with physical fitness testing.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/june/29/fulaccess--first-day-back/

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Sports Direct flashback as failed ex-Rangers man linked with £8m deal

Rangers fans flicking through online transfer news may have got a painful flashback to the Sports Direct era at Ibrox as Kevin Mbabu is linked with a move to Fulham.

The 22-times capped Swiss international full-back, 27, has carved out a decent career for himself since he endured a failed Ibrox stint as part of the infamous Newcastle Five in January 2015.

Now, according to the Daily Mail, the Wolfsburg full-back is a £8m target of newly promoted Fulham as they hope to retain their Premier League status next season.

That report claims that Kevin Mbabu – who joined Wolfsburg from BSC Young Boys in a reported £7.9m deal in 2019 – is on a shortlist of targets alongside Liverpool’s Neco Williams and former French international Djibril Sidibe.

Kevin Mbabu Fulham reports offer Rangers Newcastle Five flashback

The influence of Sports Direct and namely ex-Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley at Ibrox saw the businessmen send five Newcastle reserves up north on loan in a singular deal.

Amongst them was Kevin Mbabu, with the Swiss right-back joined by Remie Streete, Gael Bigirimana, Shane Ferguson, and Haris Vuckic at Ibrox.

It was a remarkable deal and did little to stop the rot at Rangers as the club failed to get out of the Scottish Championship at the first time of asking.

Remarkably, Kevin Mbabu never actually played for Rangers during his stint in Scotland and his time at Ibrox is remembered for the influence of Mike Ashley and Sports Direct more than any tangible contribution on the field.

Now, watch Rangers fans everywhere point at their screens of a Saturday evening if the dreadlocked full-back completes a move to Fulham and we’re to see him on Match of the Day in the months to come.



https://www.rangersnews.uk/transfer-news/sports-direct-flashback-as-failed-ex-rangers-man-linked-with-8m-deal/

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£8m Fulham bid means Nottingham Forest’s £15m deal is definitely on

Are Fulham hedging their bets? Or are they merely accepting defeat?

It certainly doesn’t feel like a coincidence that, since Nottingham Forest slammed their foot down onto the accelerator and moved into pole position for Liverpool defender Neco Williams, Fulham appear to have set their sights on a number of alternative transfer targets. 

The question is whether the Cottagers are merely re-fuelling, biding their time before going again, or whether they are just a fading speck in Forest’s rear-view mirror.

According to Alan Nixon, Nottingham Forest have submitted an £11 million bid for Williams, plus a further £4 million in bonuses. Liverpool – a club who can boast a remarkable track record when it comes to selling unwanted players for mind-boggling sums, Taiwo Awoniyi to name but one – are holding out for £15 million up front. 

Williams’ desire to seal a permanent switch to the City Ground, however, should go a long way to reducing the gap between the two parties. 

Nottingham Forest close in on Liverpool’s Neco Williams

Of course, it’s common practice for clubs to place their eggs in a number of different baskets. Williams, despite an excellent loan spell at Craven Cottage in the second half of their Championship title-winning campaign, was never likely to be Fulham’s one and only right-back target this summer.

But reports suggesting that Fulham submitted an £8 million bid for Wolfsburg’s Kevin Mbabu (Sky Sports) – less than 24 hours before Nottingham Forest dropped £11 million onto Jurgen Klopp’s coffee table – certainly paints the picture of a side giving up the ghost.

The Sun even go as far as to claim that Wales international Williams – who will be handed the unenviable task of succeeding the outstanding Djed Spence at the City Ground – would prefer to join Forest than return to Fulham. The Cottagers will know when they’re beaten.

Williams’ stance may come as a surprise given how well he adapted to life at the Cottage last term. But perhaps his pro-Forest stance has something to do with the fact that, in Steve Cooper, the two-time European Champions have a head coach who’s track record when it comes to helping young players realise their potential could one day rival that of Jurgen Klopp himself.

Which up-and-coming 21-year-old with a hankering for first-team football wouldn’t want to play under Cooper? Certainly not Neco Williams anyway.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/06/29/8m-fulham-bid-means-nottingham-forests-15m-deal-is-definitely-on/

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Fulham intensify efforts to sign Alessio Romagnoli

Premier League newcomers Fulham are keen to strengthen their backline by bringing in AC Milan ace Alessio Romagnoli this summer.

According to Calciomercato, Fulham are keen to bolster their defence this summer by bringing in AC Milan defender Alessio Romagnoli in the ongoing summer transfer window and are ready to up their efforts to land the Italian.

The 27-year-old has been with the Rossoneri since 2015 and has been a key player for them over the years. However, he took a supporting role in the 2021/22 campaign thanks to injuries and was limited to just 22 starts. In his absence, Fikayo Tomori and Pierre Kalulu have both struck a solid understanding at the heart of the defence and could be the way ahead for the Serie A champions.

Romagnoli’s stay at the San Siro appears to be drawing to an end, with his contract expiring in less than a day. And he is attracting interest from Serie A and the Premier League. The player, for his part, appears keen to move to Lazio but Fulham are intent on securing his services.

The Italian international came through the ranks at AS Roma, making his senior bow for the capital club in 2015/16. Given the rivalry that exists between Roma and Lazio, it is surprising that the 27-year-old would be keen to join Maurizio Sarri’s side. Thanks to the tribalistic nature of their rivalry, it is safe to say that Romagnoli would be burning several bridges should he choose to don the sky blue jersey.

Romagnoli is not averse to moving to the Premier League, and Fulham remain keen on making him do just that, having already made a contract offer for the Italian international. Marco Silva’s side blitzed through the English second tier last season and will now play in the Premier League. Their free-flowing game plan might not work so easily in the top flight, and they must build a solid rearguard.

Tosin Adarabioyo, Terence Kongolo and Tim Ream are the only senior centre-backs at the Cottagers’ disposal. With Alfie Mawson and Michael Hector departing as free agents, Fulham lack enough depth at centre-back.

And, adding Romagnoli, who is head and shoulders above the aforementioned names in terms of experience and quality, will give Fulham an influx in quality. Strong on the ball and good in the air, the Italian has all the skill sets to succeed in the Premier League. More so, the 27-year-old is a leader at the back and can organise the backline with great effect.

Romagnoli is currently in the prime of his career and needs resurrecting. Swapping San Siro for Craven Cottage is a step-down and not the most glamorous of options, but it will allow Romagnoli to once again be the top man at a club that believes in him to make a difference.

As per the report, Fulham are ramping up the pressure on Romagnoli to make a decision even as he continues to wait for an offer from Lazio. Whether the newly-promoted Premier League club can land their desired target remains to be seen.



http://www.thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2022/06/30/fulham-intensify-efforts-to-sign-alessio-romagnoli/