Thursday Fulham Stuff - 15/12/22...

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Wolves target arrives in England but he's set to join West Ham instead

West Ham United have beaten Premier League rivals Fulham and Wolves to the signature of Sao Paulo defender Luizao with the youngster touching down in England earlier this week, according to 90Min. 

Only a couple of months ago, Wolverhampton Wanderers saw another of Brazil's most exciting up-and-coming talents slip through their fingers. The men from Molineux thought they had agreed a pre-contract with Luizao's former Sao Paulo team-mate Marquinhos. 

Plans to loan the winger out to Swiss football went down like the proverbial lead balloon, however; Marquinhos instead forcing through a £3 million deal to top-flight rivals Arsenal amid suggestions of 'legal action' from the Black Country outfit.

West Ham United beat Fulham and Wolves to Sao Paulo defender Luizao

Luizao, 90Min say, was a target for both Wolves and Fulham. The 20-year-old centre-back has chosen West Ham over a number of rival offers, however, with the Londoners also fighting off competition from Benfica, Sporting Lisbon, Porto, Juventus and clubs under the Red Bull umbrella. 

Luizao's Sao Paulo contract expires next month. And, after arriving in England for a medical on Monday, Luizao is expected to sign a three-and-a-half year deal. One that should keep him at West Ham until the summer of 2026. 

The left-footed, 6ft 1ins Luizao is likely to play a backseat role initially at West Ham, potentially with the odd opportunity coming his way in the FA Cup or UEFA Conference League. He featured 14 times for Sao Paulo during his breakthrough season in the 2022 Brazilian Serie A campaign. 

"There must be players who leave. Probably six, seven, or eight players will leave. Luizao is very likely to leave," sighs Sao Paulo coach Rogerio Ceni. "Not that the club wants it, but (he will leave) because of the player's desire.   

"The contract is expiring in January. We will have some departures and changes. It's part of (football). It's a painful process."  

Things could still go from bad to worse too. West Ham are also keen on Luizao's fellow Tricolor starlet Pablo Maia; an aggressive, all-action central midfielder. Fulham have had a bid of £6.5 million rejected for Maia already this autumn. 



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/12/14/wolves-target-arrives-in-england-but-hes-set-to-join-west-ham-instead/

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Roma reject Fulham's £6.8m Karsdorp bid
Roma have rejected Fulham's £6.8m bid for their right back Rik Karsdorp, according to reports in the Italian press this morning.

Italian newspaper Leggo says that Roma are holding out for an offer of around £8.6m for the former Feyenoord full back, who appears set to leave I Giallorossi next month after falling out with Jose Mourinho. The Roma boss has told the Dutch international that he is free to depart the San Siro and Karsdrop was not included in the club's winter break tour of Asia.

The 27 year-old, who has made eleven appearances this season, helped Roma win the UEFA Conference League last term and came through the Feyenoord youth system to win the Dutch Cup and Eredivisie in successive years with the Rotterdam club. Fulham are looking to add a right back during the forthcoming transfer window and are expected to return with a second bid for Karsdorp, who could challenge compatriot Kenny Tete for a starting spot at Craven Cottage, imminently.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/12/roma-reject-fulhams-6-8m-karsdorp-bid/

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Cedric Soares: Fulham want to sign Arsenal right-back in January on permanent deal

Cedric Soares has made only two appearances for Arsenal this season, both as a substitute; The 31-year-old, who joined from Southampton in January 2020 on an initial six-month loan, sees his Arsenal deal run out in 2024

Fulham want to sign Arsenal right-back Cedric Soares in the January transfer window.

The club made some enquiries about him late in the summer window and have been following up that interest.

The 31-year-old has made only two appearances for Arsenal this season, both as a substitute. He is well known to Fulham manager Marco Silva - his fellow Portuguese.

Soares, who joined from Southampton in January 2020 on an initial six-month loan, sees his Arsenal deal run out in 2024.

He is represented by Kia Joorabchian, who also helped bring Willian to Fulham in the summer.

Right-back and a new central midfielder are the priorities for Fulham in the January window.



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12767999/cedric-soares-fulham-want-to-sign-arsenal-right-back-in-january-on-permanent-deal

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Fulham only prepared to pay €8m for player – 'Distance between requests and offer'

Following the initial reports regarding Fulham's interest in Roma fullback Rick Karsdorp, the Italian media now comes up with more information on this chase.

This time, it's Leggo (via Voce Giallorossa) who claims the Whites are 'serious' about landing the 27-year-old in the January transfer window.

The report, however, points out there's a little 'distance between requests and offer'. Because while Roma demand €10m to sell Karsdorp, Fulham are only willing to spend €8m.

For now, there's no mention to a potential solution between the two clubs to get that deal done.

What the story says is that the relationship between the player and manager José Mourinho has 'not improved' yet, and the club is still to decide whether the Dutchman will be in the squad that is going to a training camp in Portugal.

It sounds obvious that this bad situation at Roma will weigh on the Karsdorp's departure, and it should be Fulham's job to use that on their side and try to get to a deal with the Serie A club.

As recently claimed by the Italian media, the Whites are the 'most interested' in the signing.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-prepared-pay-e8m-player-distance-requests-offer/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham set sights on Soares
Fulham are interested in completing a permanent deal to sign Arsenal full back Cedric Soares next month, according to Sky Sports.

The Whites made several enquiries over the summer to sign the Portuguese right back and have made approaches to Arsenal ahead of the reopening of the transfer window. Soares, now 31, has made only two substitutes' appearances this term and would be interested in moving to Craven Cottage for a chance of further first-team football.

The defender, who joined Arsenal on an initial loan from Southampton in 2020, will be out of contract at the Emirates in the summer of 2024 and is one of a number of Fulham targets to supplement Marco Silva's options in that position for the remainder of the season. The Cottagers have had an initial offer for Roma right back Rik Karsdrop rejected as Silva seeks to sign a back-up to Kenny Tete following Kevin Mbabu's disappointing displays since arriving in the summer.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/12/fulham-set-sights-on-soares/

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Chelsea & Spurs Hospitality

Join us in style for our opening two home league fixtures of the New Year as Marco Silva's men take on London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur under the lights at Craven Cottage.

Treat your guests to the ultimate matchday experience, with an array of hospitality options available to cater for groups of all sizes.

To view our full range of packages, please click here. To contact our team please email [email protected] or call 0208 336 7555. Alternatively, you can purchase your package online here.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/december/14/chelsea-and-spurs-hospitality/

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Fulham 'keen on January deal for Arsenal's Cedric Soares'

Fulham are reportedly hoping to sign Arsenal right-back Cedric Soares on a permanent deal in the January transfer window.

The Portugal international has been demoted to third choice in the Gunners' right-back pecking order behind Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White in the 2022-23 season.

Cedric has only made four appearances for Mikel Arteta's men this term, starting just one of those matches in their 3-1 EFL Cup defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion last month.

The 31-year-old has played just 28 minutes of Premier League football off the bench against Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as coming on in the dying embers of Arsenal's final Europa League group game against FC Zurich.

Cedric was heavily linked with a move away in the summer after falling further down the pecking order, but he snubbed interest from Fulham to try to make a name for himself at the Emirates.

The right-back remains under contract in North London until the end of the 2023-24 season, and manager Arteta is said to value his experience in the dressing room.

However, Sky Sports News claims that Fulham remain attentive to Cedric's situation and are ready to explore the possibility of a permanent deal for the defender in January.

The report adds that the Cottagers did make enquiries over Cedric's availability in the summer, and a right-back is one of two winter priorities for Fulham, who also want to bring in a new central midfielder.

Furthermore, Fulham manager Marco Silva is understood to know Cedric well, and the Arsenal man's agent is Kia Joorabchian, who engineered Willian's move back to the Premier League in the summer.

Fulham also successfully negotiated the transfer of German goalkeeper Bernd Leno with Arsenal in the summer transfer window, but it is unclear if the Premier League leaders or Cedric would give the green light to a January move.

Cedric left Southampton for Arsenal on loan in January 2020 before making his move permanent later that year, and he has two goals and five assists under his belt from 59 games for the Gunners.

The former Sporting Lisbon youngster enjoyed a string of regular first-team appearances last season during Tomiyasu's time out with injuries, making 16 Premier League starts as Arsenal finished fifth in the table.

Cedric has also been involved in Arsenal's winter friendlies in the Dubai Super Cup, which the Gunners won courtesy of a 2-1 victory and 4-3 penalty shootout success over AC Milan on Tuesday.

The Gunners' final mid-season friendly takes place on Saturday as Juventus visit the Emirates Stadium, and Arteta's side return to Premier League duties with a Boxing Day London derby against West Ham United.

Coincidentally, Fulham meet the Hammers in a friendly this weekend and also mark their return to top-flight action with a capital clash against Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/arsenal/transfer-talk/news/fulham-keen-on-january-deal-for-cedric-soares_501952.html?newsnow

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Fulham and Nottingham Forest both make £7m bids, targets will cost more

Nottingham Forest and Fulham are both looking at Serie A for January reinforcements with the Premier League duo making £7 million bids for Salernitana's Lassana Coulibaly and Fulham's Rick Karsdorp, according to Cronoche Salerno and Leggo. 

It's fair to say Coulibaly and Karsdorp have enjoyed rather contrasting seasons. 

Mali international Coulibaly, a former Rangers loanee, is one of the first names on the team-sheet for an ambitious Salernitana outfit. Only Roma's Bryan Cristante averages more tackles per game than the all-action 26-year-old among all of Serie A's midfielders (WhoScored). 

Karsdorp, meanwhile, finds himself out of favour at the Stadio Olimpico. A high-profile fall-out with Jose Mourinho (join the club, Rick) makes a January departure all-but inevitable, with the Dutch international set to miss Roma's pre-season training camp in Portugal. 

Fulham and Nottingham Forest are eyeing Serie A reinforcements

According to Leggo, Fulham have submitted an opening bid of £7 million. Roma are holding out for £9 million, however; the Giallorossi looking to recoup most of the fee they paid to Feyenoord back in 2017. 

Nottingham Forest have reportedly put forward an identical amount for Coulibaly. And their offer will be met with a similarly dismissive response; Salernitana are determined to retain the services of a man who has come on leaps and bounds since his forgettable, 19-game spell under Steven Gerrard at Ibrox back in 2018/19. 

Interestingly, Salernitana are hoping to sign Coulibaly's former Rangers team-mate Glen Kamara. The Campania-based outfit, however, view the one-time Arsenal youngster not as a replacement for Coulibaly but as a potential partner in the middle of the park. 

Time will tell whether Nottingham Forest are willing to improve their initial offer. Coulibaly is believed to be seen as the 'ideal reinforcement' for Steve Cooper's midfield.

Similar stats to Casemiro

Forest already have Cheikhou Kouyate, Ryan Yates and Remo Freuler at their disposal. And that's without mentioning Jack Colback and Lewis O'Brien. Coulibaly, however, boasts far greater defensive numbers than any of the aforementioned quintet. His 3.1 tackles per game places him in line with Casemiro, Moises Caicedo and co.

Coulibaly also signed a long-term contract until the summer of 2026 back in July.

"The way (Steven Gerrard) played football is what I aspire to," Coulibaly once told The Herald. "I want to be like him. He scored a lot of important goals during his career and that came from working hard. I want to work hard so I can try to be like him. It is not going to be easy but I will always give it my best.

"Michael Essien was another of my favourite players. I used to watch him and other big players like (Andres) Iniesta and (Sergio) Busquets. I would watch their movement, what they did off the ball, and try to improve myself as a player."



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/12/14/fulham-and-nottingham-forest-both-make-7m-bids-targets-will-cost-more/

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PL club now interested in signing £75k-a-week Arsenal player in January, he's desperate to leave – journalist

Arsenal fans will be hoping that the club can make a couple of key signings in the January transfer window.

A forward and midfielder are certainly on Mikel Arteta's shopping list with an unlikely title challenge at stake.

A report from Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas suggests there could be some outgoings at The Emirates too.

There are a number of senior players who have hardly featured in the league for Arteta this season.

Arsenal are currently fighting on three fronts, with Arteta also needing to focus on the Europa League and FA Cup.

The likes of Rob Holding and Cedric Soares have barely played in the Premier League.

And Thomas now believes that Premier League side Fulham are interested in signing Cedric in January.

Marco Silva's side made a late bid to sign Cedric in the summer, but the move never materialised.

Fulham raided Arsenal in the summer to sign goalkeeper Bernd Leno, and now want to add another Gunner to their squad.

Fulham are interested in Arsenal defender Cedric
The proposed move could be a transfer that works for all parties.

Fulham need a new right-back with Marco Silva not convinced by new signing Kevin Mbabu.

Kenny Tete has been his established first-choice in that role under the Portuguese manager.

When he was injured earlier in the season, Silva opted to play Bobby Decordova-Reid over Mbabu, despite his natural position being as a forward.

Therefore, Cedric would have a lot more opportunities at Craven Cottage than The Emirates.

At Arsenal, the £75,000-a-week defender finds himself quite far down the pecking order.

Ben White is having a fantastic season in his new role at right-back.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is also favoured ahead of Cedric on either side, meaning he's only likely to get cameos in cup competitions.

Michael Bridge, via Give Me Sport, believes that the Portuguese is now keen to leave Arsenal to play more football.

With Fulham now interested in signing Cedric, the 31-year-old could be tempted into a move that grants him more opportunities.

However, there's also a chance Cedric could play a small role in Arsenal winning a historic title.

That might help Arteta to convince him to stick it out for six more months at The Emirates if he wants to keep him.



https://tbrfootball.com/pl-club-now-interested-in-signing-75k-a-week-arsenal-player-in-january-hes-desperate-to-leave-journalist/

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Tottenham battle Fulham, West Ham United for Pablo Maia

Tottenham will have to compete with Fulham and West Ham United for Sao Paulo starlet Pablo Maia in the January transfer window.

According to 90min, Tottenham have joined the chase for Pablo Maia, who Fulham and West Ham United are also trailing. The Sao Paulo starlet is entering the final nine months of his contract at the Brazilian club, with a transfer in the next window likely to materialise.

Pablo Maia could soon become the next promising midfielder to walk through the exit door at Sao Paulo. But, unfortunately, the Brazilian outfit have made grave errors regarding their bright young stars, with two likely to depart in January.

After losing Marquinhos in the summer to Arsenal for a paltry sum, Sao Paulo have agreed on a deal with West Ham United on similar lines for promising defender Luizao. The 20-year-old is reportedly in England to undergo his medicals and complete the move to the London Stadium.

Now another players could follow Luizao out of the exit door as 20-year-old Brazilian midfielder Pablo Maia is close to departing Sao Paulo. He has only nine months left on his contract and is already being chased by a host of Premier League clubs ahead of January.

West Ham United are hoping to sign Maia in addition to Luizao, although they face intense competition from Fulham. The Cottagers have remained interested for a long time and could finally make their move in the coming weeks. They know the importance of getting an agreement on time will give them headway in the chase.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are also reportedly keen on Pablo Maia. Antonio Conte is seeking plenty of players in January to bolster the squad. While the Tottenham manager wants experienced players in each position, he remains open to adding young stars to develop.

Pablo Maia is a defensive midfielder, and this is a position Spurs have ample players in currently. However, their priority in January is to bring a creative star, and they are closing in on Ruslan Malinovskyi from Atalanta. The Ukrainian attacker's arrival will add to the Tottenham squad and fill a problematic area.

Someone like Pablo Maia could prove beneficial to the squad's depth and designing the future of this Spurs side. Tottenham are chasing other young players in the window, but for January, their priority is to be in players that improve the team immediately. Meanwhile, West Ham and Fulham will hope to beat Spurs to the 20-year-old Brazilian midfielder.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2022/12/14/tottenham-battle-fulham-west-ham-united-for-pablo-maia/